‘Performers are getting a raw deal’
The union representing a number of unpaid Manchester Pride performers has described the sale of the company’s assets as ‘concerning’ as it pushes the council for more support.
Last week, a number of ‘brand-related assets’ relating to the Manchester Pride Limited company, which runs the Pride festival, were listed for acquisition by SIA Group, owned by Gordon Brothers. The sale included the trademarks of both Manchester Pride and Mardi Gras, as well as associated domains.
The move came months after the company went into voluntary liquidation. In October, bosses behind Manchester Pride said the organisation was ‘no longer financially viable’, having faced a series of challenges – including rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ‘ambitious refresh of the format’ last year.
A number of performers and suppliers claimed they had not been paid following the 2025 festival, which ran over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The Equity Union is supporting artists waiting on payment and met with the council seven weeks ago as it promised the LGBTQ+ festival would take place in 2026. with a new ‘homegrown’ direction led by the community.
Equity is seeking payment for more than 50 performers – many of them Mancunians – who were left out of pocket when Pride went bust in October 2025. The union said more than £70,000 is owed to Equity members with the overall figure much higher. At the time of liquidation, the Manchester Pride Ltd charity owed creditors £2,117,640, with a separate Manchester Pride Events Ltd subsidiary also owing creditors £1,037,392.
In a statement issued this week, Equity described the acquisition sale of assets as ‘concerning’ and wrote to Manchester council leader Bev Craig to seek clarification. In the letter, Karen Lockney, Equity north west official, told the town hall boss ‘none of the avenues discussed’ in the meeting together ‘have borne fruit’.
The letter also said the union ‘still hope[s] to meet with [councillor Craig] for clarity and updates, and would welcome a date for this as promised at the initial meeting’, adding: “We want to remain in contact with you to ensure Pride 2026 is planned on a foundation of unionised terms and conditions, with our members playing an active role in discussions.”
In a statement, Karen Lockney, Equity north west official, said: “There’s no Pride without performers, but performers are getting a raw deal. They’ve been let down. Despite a positive meeting with Bev Craig in November, where a commitment was made about exploring options to get pay for performers and ensuring their voices were heard, nothing concrete has emerged. Many performers left out of pocket have really struggled over the Christmas period.”
In response to the letter, Manchester council reiterated its commitment to ensure a ‘sustainable future for a reborn Pride’, which will include reassurances that performers at such events ‘will be protected’. The town hall said it has also ‘encouraged the administrator to prioritise payments to out-of-pocket performers’.
A spokesperson said: “We are sympathetic to the plight of performers left unpaid after Manchester Pride Events (MPEL) Ltd collapsed. The council leader met with Equity to discuss the situation and we have put them in touch with organisations which can help with financial support for those affected, including the Manchester Growth Company and our own hardship schemes.
“We have also encouraged the administrator, whose responsibility MPEL’s debts are, to prioritise payments to out-of-pocket performers. The Council can’t use public money to retrospectively meet the costs of a commercial organisation. We are also working closely with the LGBT+ community to ensure a sustainable future for a reborn Pride, including assurances that performers will be protected.”
The acquisition sale of Manchester Pride’s ‘brand-related assets’ is accepting offers until Friday (January 16), with the listing suggesting it would enable an ‘acquirer the opportunity to host future Pride events under the Manchester Pride brand name’.
