Council vows to help Pride have 'a bright and thriving future'

MANCHESTER Pride has started the legal process of voluntary liquidation - but the city's council has said the next event will still take place in August 2026.

- By ADAM MAIDMENT

Yesterday, the LGBTQ+ event's board of trustees said the organisation was 'no longer financially viable' following rising costs, declining ticket sales and the result of this year's 'ambitious' refresh, with a new stage area outside of the Gay Village area.

The announcement came after the board issued a statement last week admitting that they were 'currently in the process of determining the best way forward with our legal and financial advisers.

Last week, many performers of this year's event spoke about how they had not yet been paid for their appearance and had been faced with a lack of communication and clarity from Pride staff.

In yesterday's announcement, the board said it was entering voluntary liquidation with 'enormous sadness' and 'regret the delays in communicating the current situation.