The party is over. Hundreds of performers and production staff made Manchester Pride unforgettable. Now, the organisation behind the event has gone bust, owing over a million pounds. For the freelance creatives who powered the festival, it’s not just a debt; it’s a financial disaster.

The shocking collapse of Manchester Pride

The company running the 2025 Manchester Pride festival recently went into voluntary liquidation. This means the organisation effectively ‘went bust’.

It was a sudden and devastating announcement. The decision followed months after the big August Bank Holiday weekend event. The organisation stated it was “no longer financially viable.”

This failure left a huge financial hole. Over £1.3 million is reportedly owed to suppliers and freelancers.

For the hundreds of independent creative workers, this was a catastrophe. Many were left completely out of pocket. They were counting on this money to pay rent and keep their businesses running.

Why were hundreds of creatives left unpaid?

The organisers blamed several factors for the collapse. They cited rising operational costs. They also pointed to declining ticket sales. An unsuccessful bid to host Euro Pride added to their financial struggles.

Crucially, the liquidation process means the organisation cannot pay its debts. Reports show less than a quarter of the £1.3 million owed remains in the accounts.

When a company enters liquidation, big suppliers are often paid first. This leaves independent artists and sole traders at the bottom of the queue. Some may never see a penny.

22 October 2025

STATEMENT FROM MANCHESTER PRIDE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

It is with enormous sadness that we announce that Manchester Pride has started the legal process of voluntary liquidation…

We had hoped to be able to find a way to continue, and, most importantly, to support our artists, contractors and partners. Despite our best efforts, sadly, this has not proved to be possible. We are sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation…

The volunteer Board of Trustees are devastated at this situation and sad to share that our staff team will be made redundant…

We would like to sincerely offer our thanks to all of our staff, volunteers and supporters who have contributed so much to Manchester Pride over the years.

What is being done to help freelancers now?

The community has quickly rallied to help the affected creatives.

A Crowdfunder is Live

A group of impacted freelancers launched the ‘Manchester Pride 2025: Together for Creatives Fund‘. This Crowdfunder aims to provide urgent financial support.

The money raised will go directly to independent LGBTQ+ freelancers facing hardship. Eligible workers must prove they had a contract and are owed fees.

This community action is vital. It is seen as a way to bridge the financial gap while the long liquidation process drags on.

Unions are taking action

The union for performers and creatives, Equity, is also involved. They are collecting contractual information from members. They plan to pursue all legal options to recoup the money owed. Equity has also launched a petition. It calls on the Manchester City Council to help cover the financial shortfall for these workers.

Lessons for every freelancer

This tough situation offers valuable lessons for all freelancers in the UK creative industries. Here are some suggestions.

Read the Payment Terms: Many artists had 60-day payment terms. This is very long. Always negotiate for shorter payment windows, such as 30 days or less.

Join a union: Unions like Equity offer legal guidance and collective support. They can fight for you when you are left unpaid.

Invoice promptly and follow up: Send your invoice the moment the work is completed. Follow up politely but firmly when payment dates are missed.

Know your client’s status: For big jobs, look at the company’s past financial health, if possible. If a client seems slow or vague about payments before signing, be cautious.

Have a financial buffer: Always keep emergency savings. This money can cover essential costs if a client collapses and leaves you out of pocket.

Could this crisis have been avoided?

In short, the scale of the debt likely could have been reduced.

Financial records showed the charity was in difficulty long before the 2025 event. It had already posted a large loss in a previous year.

If the financial situation had been monitored more closely, changes could have been made sooner. Earlier transparency with suppliers and freelancers might have prevented the huge final debt.

This crisis highlights a broader issue. Event organisers must protect the creative people who make their festivals possible.

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