Organisers of Manchester Pride have defended their ticketing practices during this year’s event after some Ariana Grande fans were locked out of the festival site and missed the popstar’s performance.
Ticket holders complained after reportedly waiting in queues for hours to enter the Mayfield Depot, only to be refused entry due to a 7pm last-entry cut-off.
Manchester Pride Live was the main music event over the weekend with Ariana Grande joined by Cheryl, Bananarama, and Years & Years.
The organisers posted details of the opening and closing times online and across social media. However, many fans claim that this was not sufficient information.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their anger, with one fan stating: “Waited for an hour. Didn’t get in. So disappointed. I want a refund and will never be returning to Manchester Pride and will never recommend it to anyone.”
Another added: “Yep and only advertising that time on Twitter and Instagram is not fair! People have been having fun and celebrating pride – not everyone is on social media 24/7 and to not text or email is appalling.”
Another fan wrote: “The fact that @ManchesterPride hiked their ticket prices so much because of Ariana and she’s only doing a 30 minute set *and* they’ve suddenly changed the last entry time to 7pm (she’s on at 10.25pm) is another sign of what a gross money making venture it’s become.”
A spokesperson from Manchester Pride, said: “Manchester Pride Live was an element of Manchester Pride Festival which is a multi-site event.
“The festival ticket gained guests access to performances with managed capacities across the Mayfield site and the Gay Village and was not to see one artist. The last entry time of 7pm at Manchester Pride Live was published on our website and in the terms and conditions when purchasing tickets.
“We also promoted the closure via social media across the weekend. We had to turn away approximately 30 people who arrived after this time or left the site before and tried to come back.”
Image: Emma
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