Tequila Thirst guards her age closely, but she’s far more concerned with a debt owed to her – a debt owed by Manchester Pride. The beloved LGBTQ+ event recently declared bankruptcy, a stunning fall from grace attributed to dwindling ticket sales, soaring costs, and a failed attempt to host Euro Pride. The collapse has left a trail of unpaid artists, suppliers, and freelancers in its wake.
The annual Pride march had long been a vibrant spectacle, drawing thousands to the city. But behind the glittering floats and energetic performances, a financial crisis was brewing. Tequila, a Chester-based drag queen, performed at the new two-day Mardi Gras event in August, expecting payment within 60 days, as stipulated in her contract. That payment never arrived.
Equity, the performers’ union, estimates that workers are collectively owed around £50,000. For Tequila, the unpaid £200 represents more than just money; it’s a blow to her livelihood. “A lot of us signed because you think, Manchester Pride, it’s massive. You’re very unlikely not to get paid,” she explains, her voice laced with disappointment. The assumption of stability, she now realizes, was tragically misplaced.
Manchester Pride’s origins were humble, beginning in 1985 as a small fundraising effort. Over the decades, it blossomed into one of the UK’s largest Pride celebrations, attracting star power like Ariana Grande and Sophie Ellis-Bexter. But the ambition to grow, to become bigger and bolder, ultimately contributed to its downfall.
When weeks passed without a response regarding her fee, Tequila began to question her own performance. Was she not good enough? The answer arrived with devastating finality: Manchester Pride had entered liquidation just 66 days after her performance. “It’s upsetting and disrespectful that we’re not being paid for all of our work and the love that we put into it,” she says, her frustration palpable. “To think they knew this already, yet they still booked us… I’m a full-time drag performer. This is my career.”
The financial strain extends far beyond Tequila. She knows of fellow performers facing dire circumstances, one struggling to cover rent exceeding £1,000. She herself covered expenses for outfits, props, and travel, costs that were supposed to be reimbursed. The unpaid debts represent a real hardship for those who poured their creativity and energy into the event.
Abbie Ashall, a freelance event manager, is owed twice Tequila’s amount. Having worked with the charity for two years without issue, she was shocked when her final payment didn’t arrive on September 15th. Pride staff assured her it was a simple oversight, a matter for the finance team. Then came the news of the collapse, shattering her expectations.
Abbie, a theatre producer, relied on the payment to fund her original musical, “Spraywatch: A Beautiful Rescue.” As a freelancer, she meticulously plans her income to cover expenses. “It’s a large sum that I was relying on,” she says, “and it’s just disappointing that it’s come to this point, for myself and countless other freelancers, artists and businesses.”
Neither Abbie nor Tequila were entirely surprised by the news. Abbie noticed staff departures going unfilled, a subtle but worrying sign. Tequila observed a noticeable lack of crowds at the Depot venue during her performance. “Where were all the people?” she wonders, questioning the event’s attendance despite high ticket prices, ranging from £15 to £200 for VIP access.
The precise reasons for Manchester Pride’s financial failure remain unclear. Financial filings are outdated, and the charity submitted a “serious incident report” regarding its finances. The Charity Commission is currently investigating, actively examining the situation with the trustees to determine next steps. The last available financial report, for the year ending December 2023, revealed a deficit of nearly £500,000 – a loss almost as significant as that experienced during the Covid pandemic.
“Manchester Pride became such a corporate beast,” Tequila observes, “I understand organisations need funding but they gambled with our pay for their ambitious greed. It didn’t pay off.” She adds that the CEO and board have offered little in the way of apology or explanation.
Josh Wheeler, a long-time attendee and founder of a PR firm, notes that the focus on profit margins and sponsors felt incongruous with an event celebrating LGBTQ+ lives. He fears the situation will provide ammunition for critics of the community, despite decades of effort dedicated to inclusion and celebration. He believes the organization was simply unrealistic about its capabilities.
The future of Manchester Pride remains uncertain, but city officials have pledged to support a new iteration of the event next August. However, The Proud Trust, an LGBTQ+ youth charity, emphasizes that Pride should be fundamentally about the queer community, not just flags and glitter. They continue to run a smaller, grassroots Youth Pride event without relying on Manchester Pride’s funding.
While the future is debated, the immediate priority, according to Equity representative Karen Lockney, is supporting the performers. She’s heard stories of members struggling to afford essential medical prescriptions. The union has launched a petition urging the city council to cover the outstanding debts.
“Pride brings tens of millions into the Manchester economy, but it is the performers who make the festival what it is,” Lockney asserts. “Before discussions begin over next year’s event, we must first ensure that all performers are paid for their work this year.” She stresses the need for a fair resolution to rebuild trust in any future city-endorsed Pride event.
The city council maintains that, as a private company, Manchester Pride will proceed through the liquidation process. The company has stated that details of owed payments to workers and performers have been provided to the liquidators. The story of Manchester Pride serves as a stark reminder that even celebrations built on joy and inclusivity are vulnerable to financial realities and the importance of valuing those who bring them to life.
