Manchester Pride Unpaid Bills Top $1.7 Million—Who Got Stiffed?

Photo Credit: Nelly Furtado (Instagram)

Manchester Pride owes $1.7 million to venues, suppliers, and performers, including Nelly Furtado and Olly Alexander, a new report reveals.

The organization behind Manchester Pride is found to owe a total of £1.3 million ($1.7 million) to performers, suppliers, and venues. News of the financials comes on the heels of the announcement last month that it was going through voluntary liquidation, following complaints from numerous people that they had not been paid for their work. According to a financial report viewed by the BBC, 182 companies and individuals are owed amounts ranging from £30 to £330,329.

A report prepared by business restructuring specialists KR8 Advisory revealed that headliner Nelly Furtado’s production company is owed £145,775.75 ($190,251.93), while a company linked to headliner and former Eurovision contestant Olly Alexander is owed £48,000 ($62,644).

The list also includes a first aid charity, St. John Ambulance, which is owed £47,330.40 ($61,770.91). Meanwhile, the company in charge of event venue Mayfield Depot is owed £330,329 ($431,112). Security firm Practical Event Solutions is also owed £167,892 ($219,115).

Further information about Manchester Pride’s decision to enter liquidation last month was also revealed. Directors reportedly sought legal advice in early September after ticket sales were lower than expected. The charity behind the event was unsuccessful in exploring “rescue proposals” before announcing it would go into liquidation on October 16.

Organizers hoped the launch of the Mardi Gras event at Mayfield Depot would help the charity recoup some finances and create a template for future years. But the event was not successful, and the losses generated cancelled out the profits from the annual Gay Village Party. As it became apparent that it had lost money for a third year in a row, the report says leadership sought financial advice. Ultimately, the decision was made to place the charity into liquidation.

Manchester Pride was one of the UK’s biggest LGBTQ events, behind only London and Brighton’s events. Organizers have apologized for the delays in communication with unpaid acts and contractors.