New Manchester Pride CIC Secures Union Agreement

Key Points

• Manchester Pride has been taken over by a new community interest company (CIC) named Manchester Village Pride.
• The CIC has pledged to sign a ‘landmark’ union agreement with the performing arts union Equity, marking the first such agreement for a UK Pride event.
• This follows the original Manchester Pride going into liquidation in October 2025, leaving businesses and performers awaiting payments from the August 2025 event.
• The 2026 event will run from 28 to 31 August, featuring the parade, Village party, vigil, and LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and nightlife fringe events.
• Manchester City Council backs the plans, with deputy leader Garry Bridges praising the CIC’s “strong and credible plan”.
• Support also comes from Marketing Manchester, Cityco, Equity, and various LGBTQ+ organisations, charities, and community stakeholders.
• Manchester Village Pride received £120,000 in loans from local venues to start delivery, highlighting local LGBTQ+ businesses’ determination.
• Equity members were left over £70,000 out of pocket from unpaid fees after the liquidation; the union is pursuing claims with liquidators and Manchester Council for over 50 members.
• The new agreement guarantees fair pay, professional industry standards, and decent working conditions for performers.
• Karen Lockney, Equity’s north west regional official, called the 2025 events “shameful” and hopes other Prides follow suit.
• Carl Austin-Behan, a founding board member of the CIC, emphasised responsibility, paying artists properly, and rebuilding trust for 2026, with citywide expansion planned from 2027.

Manchester Village (Manchester Mirror)February 02, 2026 – Manchester Village Pride, the new community interest company (CIC) taking over the iconic event, has pledged to sign a landmark union agreement with Equity, the performing arts union. This move promises fair pay and professional standards for performers and creatives, coming after the original Manchester Pride’s liquidation in October 2025 left many out of pocket.​

The agreement represents the first of its kind for a UK Pride event, aiming to restore trust following last year’s financial collapse. The four-day celebration is scheduled for 28 to 31 August 2026, retaining core elements like the parade, Village party, and vigil, alongside fringe events in LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and nightlife.​

What Led to Manchester Pride’s Liquidation?

The original Manchester Pride entered liquidation in October 2025, as reported across multiple outlets including Third Sector. This left several businesses and performers awaiting payments for their contributions to the August 2025 event. Equity, representing affected performers, noted that more than 50 of its members were owed over £70,000 in unpaid fees, which the union continues to pursue through liquidators and Manchester City Council.​

As detailed in coverage by Third Sector journalists, the closure prompted urgent action from the community to safeguard the event’s future. The liquidation created a vacuum that the new CIC has stepped in to fill, with strong local support to prevent the loss of this key LGBTQ+ celebration.​

Who Is Manchester Village Pride CIC?

Manchester Village Pride CIC was established specifically to run the 2026 event and beyond. Founding board member Carl Austin-Behan, as quoted in primary reports, stated: “Bringing Pride home to the Village is about more than location. It is a commitment to responsibility: paying artists properly, funding community groups, supporting charities, protecting LGBTQ+ heritage – and building a sustainable future for Pride in Manchester.”​

Carl Austin-Behan further elaborated that 2026 would focus on “rebuilding, re-establishing trust, reconnecting with Pride’s origins and reinforcing the role of the Village as the heart of the celebration”. From 2027, the CIC plans a wider citywide programme around Pride, expanding its reach.​

The organisation secured £120,000 in loans from local venues, a figure organisers described as reflecting “the determination of local LGBTQ+ businesses to safeguard Pride”.​

Why Is the Equity Union Agreement a ‘Landmark’ Deal?

Equity has hailed the forthcoming agreement as “landmark” for guaranteeing fair pay, professional industry standards, and decent working conditions for all performers at Manchester Village Pride. As reported by Equity representatives, this provides workers with “a meaningful dialogue and a say over the terms of their work”.​

Karen Lockney, north west regional official at Equity, remarked: “What happened to performers and creatives in 2025 was shameful. Not only will this guarantee fair pay and professional industry standards for all performers going forward, but it also provides the workers of a Manchester Village Pride with a meaningful dialogue and a say over the terms of their work.” She added: “We hope other Pride organisations will follow Manchester Village Pride’s fantastic example.”​

This pact addresses the grievances from the liquidation, where Equity members suffered significant losses. The union’s backing underscores the agreement’s role in setting a precedent for UK Pride events.​

Which Organisations Are Backing the New Pride Plans?

Manchester City Council has thrown its weight behind the CIC. Deputy council leader Garry Bridges said the group “came to us with a strong and credible plan”.​

Additional support comes from Marketing Manchester, Cityco, Equity, and a coalition of LGBTQ+ organisations, charities, and community stakeholders. This broad endorsement signals confidence in the CIC’s ability to deliver a sustainable event.​

Local venues’ financial contributions further demonstrate community investment, ensuring the event’s viability post-liquidation.​

What Will the 2026 Manchester Pride Event Include?

The 2026 programme mirrors key components of previous years: the parade, Village party, and vigil. It will be enhanced by LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and nightlife fringe events, maintaining the event’s vibrant spirit in Manchester’s Gay Village.​

Organisers aim to reconnect with Pride’s origins, centring the Village as the celebration’s heart. This focus on core traditions, combined with union protections, positions the event for long-term success.​

How Does This Impact Performers and Creatives?

For performers and creatives, the Equity deal eliminates past uncertainties. No longer out of pocket as in 2025, they can expect fair pay and standards. Equity’s pursuit of outstanding debts continues, but the new framework prevents recurrence.​

Karen Lockney’s statements highlight the transformative potential, offering not just payment but influence over working terms. This could inspire similar protections at other Prides nationwide.​

What Are the Long-Term Plans for Pride in Manchester?

Carl Austin-Behan outlined a phased approach: 2026 for rebuilding trust and Village focus, followed by citywide expansion from 2027. This vision includes funding community groups and protecting LGBTQ+ heritage.​

The CIC’s sustainability pledge differentiates it from the predecessor, addressing root causes of the liquidation through responsible management and partnerships.​

Broader Implications for UK Pride Events

Equity’s hope that “other Pride organisations will follow Manchester Village Pride’s fantastic example” suggests a ripple effect. As the first UK Pride union agreement, it could elevate industry standards across the sector.​

With council and business backing, Manchester’s model demonstrates community-led recovery, potentially influencing how other events handle financial and labour challenges.​

This development restores Manchester Pride’s stature as a cornerstone of UK LGBTQ+ celebrations, blending tradition with forward-thinking governance.