Business
The fall and future of Manchester Pride
Jasmine Sandhar,BBC Newsbeat and
Pete Allison,BBC Newsbeat
Getty ImagesWhen Saki Yew stepped off stage at this year’s Manchester Pride, she felt “joyous”.
The former Drag Race UK queen had spent weeks rehearsing and creating costumes for the performance at the city’s Sackville Gardens in August.
It was effort she was happy to make for one of the UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ events, and the reaction from the crowd made it worth it.
But when she asked Pride’s organisers for her payment, she says there was silence.
The charity behind Manchester Pride went bust this week, leaving dozens of performers, vendors and backstage workers unpaid.
In a statement confirming it had gone into liquidation, bosses blamed a “combination of rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ambitious refresh of the format aimed to challenge these issues”.
But some believe repeated warning signs about the sustainability of the event weren’t heeded.
Warning signs
Manchester Pride started in 1985 as a two-week fundraising event.
Since then, it’s grown in size and influence, becoming the first UK organisation to add black and brown stripes to the rainbow flag to represent LGBTQ+ people of colour.
By 2025 Manchester was one of the biggest Pride events in the UK, alongside London and Brighton’s annual celebrations.
With its increasing size came bigger names, including Ariana Grande, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Anastacia and Zara Larsson.
This year’s star-studded line-up featured Nelly Furtado, Olly Alexander, and former Little Mix star Leigh-Anne.
But behind the scenes there were signs all was not well, according to people who worked on this year’s event.
Abbie AshallEvent manager Abbie Ashall had worked for Manchester Pride since 2023, and was a project manager for this year’s parade.
She tells BBC Newsbeat many charities were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, and there was evidence Manchester Pride had also been affected.
Abbie says she was given strict budgets to stick to, and noticed that former colleagues who left were not replaced.
Yet, at the same time, Abbie says, Pride’s organisers launched Mardi Gras this year – a two-day, ticketed event at Manchester’s high-capacity Mayfield Depot.
Attendees reported that crowds were small, and Abbie says the event was not considered successful.
Contractor Chris O’Connor worked at Manchester Pride for five years as a runner, a role he describes as a mixture of organisation and “troubleshooter-slash-firefighter”.
He says working in the run-up to previous Pride weekends had been “a joy”, but that 2025 had presented “red flags” and “major issues” for him to resolve from the start.
He believes Manchester Pride, which reported a loss of about £468,000 in 2023, should have had better control of the finances.
‘I rely on that money to live’
Both Chris and Abbie say they are still owed money for their work on 2025’s event.
In Chris’s case, he says not being paid prevented him visiting his son, who has just started university in Ireland.
Saki Yew tells Newsbeat she has “a life outside of drag” and “bills and groceries to pay for”.
Like Chris, Saki believes Pride’s organisers could have been more transparent about their financial troubles while people waited for payment.
“It’s highly disrespectful,” says Saki.
“You’ve kept us in the dark, you’ve just disrespected every single person on what they do and what they provide for you.”
Getty ImagesSome suspect the lack of communication from Manchester Pride’s organisers over payment is linked to its failed bid to host 2028’s Europride.
The international event usually attracts huge crowds, and Abbie believes Pride bosses were banking on “the funding that would have come with that from Manchester City Council and beyond”.
When it was announced that Limerick and Clare, in Ireland, had won the bid earlier this month, hopes for potential Europride investment disappeared.
“I think they took a massive swing and it was a miss,” says Abbie.
The exact details of the circumstances leading up to Manchester Pride going into liquidation aren’t yet known.
However, the Charity Commission, which works to ensure organisations in England and Wales comply with the law, is “assessing concerns” after Pride’s bosses submitted a “serious incident report relating to its finances”.
There are also questions about future events in Manchester, and what shape they will take.
Getty ImagesOn the streets of the city, it’s not hard to find people who attended this year’s Pride and want to see the celebration return.
Kieran, 24, from Oldham, believes “it’s something that everyone in Manchester looks forward to”.
“It brings all types of culture and people together,” he says.
Lexi agrees Pride is “a big part of not only the culture of this city, but so important for the community itself”.
“If we don’t have Pride, what else do we have?”
Lexi says attending Pride events after she’d just come out was “a really important time” and “it would be horrible for people to lose that opportunity”.
‘A new chapter’?
Manchester City Council has said it will “support a new chapter for Manchester Pride weekend, which will take place next August”.
Lexi is optimistic.
“I would be happy to put my money into something, especially if it’s going to go back to the community,” she says.
There had been complaints about staging events outside Manchester’s gay village and focusing on spectacle over supporting LGBTQ+ causes.
“Maybe there’s a way around it in creating a cheaper, more sustainable Pride,” Lexi hopes.
But for the workers that may depend on, trust has been lost as well as money.
“This charity is there to platform and support queer artists and practitioners,” says Abbie.
“For all of those people to be at a loose end when this is the charity that is meant to raise them up more than anybody – that’s where it’s deeply frustrating and really upsetting.”
The BBC approached Manchester Pride for comment but it did not respond.
In a statement shared on social media, Manchester Pride’s Board of Trustees expressed “regret” for delays in communication, but said it was “keen not to jeopardise financial opportunities while our discussions were ongoing”.
It said it had hoped to find a way to continue to support those who had contributed, and was “sincerely sorry for those who will now lose out financially from the current situation”.
“We have put our hearts and souls into the celebration and community activities over two decades,” it added.
“We hope and believe that this leaves a positive and lasting legacy for the Pride movement in Greater Manchester.”
Additional reporting by Georgia Levy-Collins.
Business
Nifty Prediction For October 27: Will It Cross 26,000 Amid Bullish Run? Fed Meet, Q2 Earnings To Watch
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Focus shifts to Q2 results, Mazagon Dock, BEL, and US Fed rate meeting this week.
Markets Stay Firm Despite Global Uncertainty; Focus Shifts to Q2 Earnings and Defence Stocks
The Indian markets consolidated gains with remarkable resilience last week, even as global uncertainty deepened following U.S. sanctions on Russian energy companies, which drove global crude oil prices higher by around 5% and reignited concerns over India’s import bill and inflation outlook. Sensex gained 1.48 per cent or 1,237 points to end last week at 84,211.
Nifty, however, saw a weak momentum with a drop of 0.32 per cent or 84 points to end at 25,795.
Despite these headwinds, domestic benchmarks maintained their composure, supported by strong DII inflows, encouraging Q2 earnings from IT and consumer sectors, argued Ponmudi R, CEO – Enrich Money.
Focus Shifts to Q2 Results and Defence Sector
Investors will also keep a close watch on Corporate India’s second-quarter earnings, which have so far come in better than expected, lending support to market sentiment. The defence sector will be in sharp focus as Mazagon Dock and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) are set to announce their quarterly results.
US Fed Meeting
The US may see another rate cut this year, even as uncertainty looms over the economy due to the ongoing US government shutdown.
The Federal Reserve’s second-to-last rate meeting of 2025 takes place between October 28 to October 29.
Analysts expect the Fed to cut about 25 bps lowering its key lending rate to between 3.75 and 4 per cent.
Nifty Prediction For Monday, October 27
The Nifty 50 spent the week consolidating within a narrow band after its earlier breakout, ending at 25,795.15. The previous swing high near 25,660 has now turned into a key support area, where the index is likely to find buying interest.
The overall structure remains bullish as long as Nifty sustains above 25,450–25,600, explains Ponmudi R.
Nifty could break the barrier at 26,000 to hit all-time high. Puneet Singhania, Director of Master Trust Group predicted that technically, resistance is seen near 26,000, where a successful breakout could propel Nifty to all-time highs around 26,300.
“On the downside, the 25,400-25,500 zone is a critical support area, providing strong buying opportunities on dips and maintaining a favorable risk-reward setup for positional traders and investors,” he adds.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
October 26, 2025, 16:15 IST
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 "Bank Holiday Alert! Will Banks Be Closed On October 27 For Chhath Puja? Find Out Here")
New Delhi: With the sparkle of Diwali just fading, the festive spirit continues as people gear up to celebrate Chhath Puja. However, amid the excitement, many are wondering whether banks will remain open or closed during these celebrations. October has already been packed with back-to-back festivals from Navratri and Vijayadashami to Diwali and Lakshmi Pujan leading to several bank holidays across the country.
Bank Holiday on October 27: What You Need to Know
Banks in many parts of India will remain closed on October 27 in observance of Chhath Puja. While some regions will have a two-day break, others will see banks closed for just one day, depending on the state and local traditions.
Chhath Puja 2025: Dates, Significance, and Celebrations
Chhath Puja 2025 will be celebrated from October 25 to 28, marking four days of devotion dedicated to the Sun God. The festival holds special importance in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and even in parts of Nepal. During these days, devotees observe fasts, take holy dips in rivers, and offer prayers to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth while seeking blessings for health, prosperity, and happiness.
Bank Schedule and Services During the Festive Month
Banks in Gujarat will remain closed on October 31 to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary. As per the RBI holiday calendar, all banks nationwide will also stay shut on the second and fourth Saturdays and Sundays.
Digital Banking to the Rescue During Holidays
Customers can still perform fund transfers, bill payments, and balance checks via online banking, mobile apps, ATMs, and UPI. Only in-person services like large cash deposits, cheque clearances, and demand drafts will be unavailable. To avoid inconvenience, customers are advised to plan their bank visits accordingly and make full use of digital banking facilities during the festive period.
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Lenskart Solutions Limited will open its Rs 7,278 crore IPO on October 31, 2025, with expected listing on BSE and NSE on November 10.
Lenskart has announced the opening date for its IPO.
Lenskart IPO GMP: Eyewear company Lenskart Solutions Limited has announced October 31 as the opening date for its initial public offering (IPO). The three-day subscription window will end on November 04, 2025. The expected size of the issue is Rs 7,278 crore, as informed in the RHP filed on October 25.
Lenskart’s IPO anchor book will open for a day on October 30, according to the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP). The company is expected to finalise share allotment by November 6, and trading of Lenskart shares on the BSE and NSE will begin from November 10.
The company hasn’t yet revealed the price band for its upcoming IPO. It will be announced closer to the launch date.
The grey market premium (GMP) will also be available once the IPO price band is fixed.
Lenskart IPO Details
Earlier, Lenskart converted into a public limited company in June. Its name was changed from Lenskart Solutions Private Ltd to Lenskart Solutions Ltd during an extraordinary general meeting held on May 30.
Back in February, the company was reportedly in discussions to appoint five investment banks — Kotak Mahindra Capital, Axis Capital, Citi, Morgan Stanley, and Avendus Capital — as advisors for the IPO.
Existing investors like TR Capital, Chiratae, Softbank and Kedaara Capital are expected to sell their stake as part of the deal.
Alongside founders and promoters — Peyush Bansal, Neha Bansal, Amit Chaudhary, and Sumeet Kapahi — investors including SoftBank’s SVF II Lightbulb (Cayman), Schroders Capital, PI Opportunities Fund, MacRitchie Investments, Kedaara Capital Fund, and Alpha Wave will also participate as selling shareholders in the offer-for-sale. Notably, Schroders Capital Private Equity Asia Mauritius is set to exit entirely, offloading its 1.9 crore shares, representing a 1.13% stake, through the IPO.
Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst…Read More
Varun Yadav is a Sub Editor at News18 Business Digital. He writes articles on markets, personal finance, technology, and more. He completed his post-graduation diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Inst… Read More
October 26, 2025, 11:13 IST
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