'It's really bittersweet': Manchester Pride trademark and assets go under the hammer

It’s a huge day for Manchester Pride, as several assets linked to the organisation are being sold to the highest bidder following the organisation’s collapse last year.

The company behind Manchester Pride went into voluntary liquidation in October 2025 due to financial struggles linked to rising costs, falling ticket sales, and an ambitious format refresh that proved unviable.

Performers’ union Equity has expressed concern over the liquidators' auction, as many performers have yet to be paid for work at the last festival.

Manchester Pride owes thousands of pounds to dozens of performers, many of whom are local to the city.

'The emotional toll has been huge'

Theatre-maker, HIV activist and star of Channel 4 drama It's A Sin - Nathaniel J Hall - has been a pivotal voice for half a decade, having worked with the George House Trust charity, and leading the annual Candlelit Vigil.

Most Prides don't have one, but the event, held on the Bank Holiday Monday, acts as a solemn reminder to us all of the impact of HIV on the lives of so many, both in the past, and today.

Whilst the Vigil will go ahead in 2026, Nathaniel tells Hits Radio Pride the collapse of Manchester Pride is a chance to look at things again, adding the sale of assets brings a time of mixed emotion.

Nathaniel said: "I've worked very closely with the team at Pride for the last five years, and the news of the organisation's liquidation came as a deep shock, and with a lot of sadness, actually.

"I got an inkling earlier on that the public knew that something might have been going wrong, so was preparing a lot of the performers for impact, in a way.

"But despite having this idea, just how bad the situation was was hugely shocking.

"When we heard it was down £1.3 million, we were just absolutely shaken by it - and it's really sad, both for our community, and for the many people who made the whole thing happen, who still haven't been paid.

"And the emotional toll on these people has been huge."

There were a few changes to the 2025 edition of Pride which didn't go to plan.

The idea to boost income through announcing a roster of huge music acts for Mardi Gras at the Depot Mayfield didn't take-off like organisers hoped it would.

'It's really bittersweet to see our beloved festival sold to the highest bidder'

Nathaniel explained: "One of the attempts to try and raise more cash was to do Mardi Gras, and that didn't really come off, I don't think, as the modelling and predictions had looked.

"I think people got wind of that when they were heading to Mayfield Depot which was pretty much empty for much of the late afternoon - and that's a venue which can hold 10,000 people.

"So, from a selfish perspective, any money that can be recouped from the sale of the assets and its brand name gives me, and our fellow performers, more of a chance of getting paid for what we did at Manchester Pride last year.

"But that's really bittersweet, because it's really sad to see our beloved festival carved up and sold to the highest bidder."

Whoever takes it on will have a huge responsibility towards the LGBT+ community, and the wider city region, as Nathaniel explained: "It's not only socially, politically, and culturally important for our city.

"This sale also demonstrates that Manchester Pride is really economically important for the region, it has a value.

"Our community fought really hard for this celebration, this protest, and this party - and I think we should be really proud of that fact.

"And actually, looking at what's happened, I think it's a good chance to look again at how we operate the event in the city.

"What might be a better way is letting lots of smaller organisations do their own thing, over the Bank Holiday weekend, under the umbrella of Manchester Pride festivities.

"That's certainly a possibility, that we see a more diverse range of events, rather than just three days of drinking and partying.

"But what I can guarantee is that the George House Trust has confirmed that the Candlelit Vigil will be going ahead.

"In what form, we don't know yet - but to many, I know how it's a part of Pride which feels almost sacred."

'There's no Pride without performers'

A meeting in November between Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig and Equity raised hopes that options to address the financial hardship faced by performers would be explored. However, Equity claims that no concrete solutions have emerged and communication has since dried up.

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 by both Manchester Pride and Manchester City Council.

“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, and communication has dried up. Many performers left out of pocket have really struggled over the Christmas period.

“The news that Manchester Pride is to be sold to the highest bidder is extremely concerning and shows that lessons have not been learnt."

Equity also sent a letter to Bev Craig on 12th January stressing disappointment at the lack of progress and raising concerns around the sale of the Pride trademark to the highest bidder. The union has urged Manchester City Council, described as an “active and involved partner in the event," to assume some responsibility for wronged workers.

'We are working closely with the LGBT+ community'

A spokesperson for Manchester City Council 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."

Equity says it will continue advocating for unpaid workers while campaigning for future Pride events to operate with unionised terms and conditions.

Support is available

You can get in touch with the Equity union if you were impacted by the non-payments from Manchester Pride here.

The George House Trust provide support, advice and information for people living with HIV.

The National AIDS Trust work to stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and to end new HIV transmissions.

The LGBT Foundation are offering guaranteed interviews for all Pride staff for the next 12 months.

Read more: Manchester Pride 2025 comes to a close

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