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Manchester Pride is set to continue this year under new leadership, following the collapse of the previous organizing company. Manchester Pride Events LTD went into administration last October, leaving debts exceeding £1 million owed to performers and suppliers, which cast doubt over the festival’s immediate future.
In response to this situation, Manchester City Council has confirmed that a not-for-profit community interest company named Manchester Village Pride will now be responsible for running the four-day celebration. This organization, managed by volunteer directors, plans to restore key aspects of the event, such as the parade, village party, and the annual vigil honoring those lost to HIV. Local venues have supported this transition by lending £120,000 to assist in the event’s planning and execution.
Manchester Village Pride is committed to reinvesting any profits back into the community, supporting LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots groups, and local services. In addition to the main festivities, there are plans to introduce a Pride Fringe event focusing on arts, culture, and LGBTQ+ nightlife. To ensure diverse community input, the organizers intend to establish a Community Advisory Board drawn from members of the LGBTQ+ community, while the city council will conduct engagement sessions with relevant organizations and representatives.
The council’s deputy leader, Cllr Garry Bridges, emphasized the importance of Pride for Manchester, highlighting it as a symbol of inclusivity and a platform to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities while addressing ongoing inequalities. One of the founders of Manchester Village Pride CIC, Carl Austin-Behan, described this new chapter as “a chance to start again,” stressing the commitment to fair pay for artists, funding for community groups, preservation of LGBTQ+ heritage, and a sustainable future for Pride in the city. Notably, this year’s Pride will be the first in the UK to have a union agreement with Equity, the performing arts union, ensuring professional standards and proper remuneration for entertainers—a response to past issues where many performers were left unpaid following the previous organizer’s collapse. Equity official Karen Lockney welcomed this development, noting that it will “guarantee fair pay and professional industry standards for all performers,” helping to restore trust among members
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