Thursday saw a positive meeting take place between Manchester City Council and Equity focused on discussion about ways forward to support Pride performers who were left unpaid when Manchester Pride went bust last month.
The meeting – which was with the leader of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig and several councillors and officers – was secured following pressure from Equity activists, publicity and a show of solidarity amongst Pride performers. Equity members Misty Chance and Nathaniel Hall joined North West Official Karen Lockney to the Town Hall to discuss issues of non-payment and the importance of embedding performers into planning for Pride 2026.
During the meeting, there was a heartfelt commitment to LGBT+ Manchester, and Bev Craig said the council wants to help performers. Constructive and positive proposals were made, outlining potential ways forwards to address paying performers and how to restore the trust of performers and creative practitioners who are fundamental to the delivery or Pride. The council has agreed to work on these proposals and meet again with Equity in early December. In the meantime, full council takes place on Wednesday 26 November and is expected to discuss the ongoing fallout of Manchester Pride’s liquidation.
Following the meeting, Karen Lockney described the discussion as “positive” and thanked members for their support. She said: “It’s testament to the work of our members that we secured this high-level meeting. This was worker power getting us collectively into the room and round the table.
“The meeting with Manchester City Council was positive and we feel there is good faith to engage in a constructive way to help performers. It was important to hear direct from Bev Craig that they value the contribution that Manchester Pride and its performers make, and of course it was welcome to establish they are discussing ways forwards, including financial support.
“While payment for 2025 is crucial, we are also looking ahead to Pride 2026 and want a commitment that performers will be at the heart of planning and that union terms will be the foundation of engagements. We look forward to reconvening in early December to take this positive discussion forwards.”
Manchester Pride went into liquidation in October leaving dozens of performers amongst unpaid workers. Equity is representing more than 50 performers – many of them local Mancunians – who worked at Manchester Pride 2025 and have been left without payment. Outstanding payments range from £150 to £5,000 each, totalling more than £70,000 and counting, as more come forwards.
While payment for 2025 is crucial, we are also looking ahead to Pride 2026 and want a commitment that performers will be at the heart of planning and that union terms will be the foundation of engagements.
Karen Lockney, Equity North West Official
