Latest news with #RossBandstand
The Herald Scotland
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
EIF bosses clash with city council over event permits
Organisers said they were "disappointed" at the outcome but hoped an upcoming review of licensing charges by the authority would bring costs down in future. City of [[Edinburgh]] Council's fee structure for public entertainment licences (PELs) - permits for events open to the [[pub]]lic required to ensure safety and compliance with regulations - provides discounts for some some groups including charities. However the council says this is not applied "where there is clear commercial activity". On Monday, less than two weeks before the start of the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), councillors considered an application by the EIF Society, which is a registered charity, seeking a partial refund of licensing costs for events at the University of Edinburgh's Old College Quad and Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens. Read more The value of the discount sought was not made public, however PELs range from £1,454 for a venue with capacity of up to 200, to £5,808 for a capacity of up to 10,000. Lebanese-French dance company Maqamat are due to perform at the Old College Quad over four nights in August with tickets priced at £30. The Ross Bandstand will host a free 'big singalong' event featuring Dougie Maclean on August 3 to mark the start of festival season in Edinburgh, followed by Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene alongside Scottish musician Donald Shaw and his ceilidh band the following night, costing £20 a head. Council reports by head of regulatory services, Andrew Mitchell, said these were ticketed events and the licensing department "understands that any monies raised will go back to the Society". He said charges for licence applications "are used to offset the significant costs which are incurred in dealing with licensing issues in the city". However a spokesperson for EIF said events at the Ross Bandstand and Edinburgh College Quad were not being run on a commercial basis "and will not generate a profit". They said: "They are deliberately programmed to engage a broader audience, with an average ticket price of just £25, and thousands of people will attend events in Princes Street Gardens completely free of charge. "As a registered charity, we operate on a not-for-profit basis and subsidise these events significantly to ensure wide public benefit. "Any reduction risks setting a precedent. However, the committee has the discretion to waive fees where it considers this appropriate." Councillors on the licensing sub-committee unanimously refused the fee reduction on the advice of officers. An International Festival spokesperson said: 'We're disappointed by the decision of the Licensing Sub-Committee. "We understand the basis for licensing charges will be reviewed at the upcoming Culture and Communities Committee meeting and we look forward to that discussion.' More from our Edinburgh correspondent It follows a decision by councillors last month to turn down a similar request by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, also a charity, for a discount on its £18,163 PEL bill for fringe performances on the Mound Precinct and High Street. Officials said in a report published last month the Fringe Society was yet to pay its licensing fees and the council was "processing these applications without payment". They added: "This is not normal practice - irrespective of any request to reduce a fee, payment must be made at the time of application." They said the Society has paid commercial licensing application rates since at least 2012 and discounts "operates commercial arrangements whereby it allows other businesses to sell goods from stalls within the licensed footprint. "It is the understanding of the Directorate that these arrangements are strictly commercial."
Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Festivals Survival Guide 2025: Here's how to make the most of Edinburgh in August
A visit to the Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a must - just don't get caught there when you're on your way to a show. | Getty Images Whether you are in Edinburgh for a day or the full three weeks - these tips will help you have a smooth and enjoyable festival. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... August is fast approaching, which means it's nearly time for the streets, theatres, pub, parks and cellars of Scotland's Capital to be filled with the world's largest celebration of the arts. When people talk about the 'Edinburgh Festival' they tend to mean the numerous individual festivals that take place in the city over the month of August (and, in a couple of cases, the end of July). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Edinburgh International Festival - offering the best in theatre, classical music, opera and ballet - was what started it all in 1947. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe arrived in the same year as an alternative to the 'official' invitation-only festival and has grown to become the world's biggest arts festival - on a global scale only the Olympic Games and the World Cup sell more tickets. 1947 also saw the launch of the Edinburgh International Film Festival which was initially known as the 'International Festival of Documentary Films' and has become the longest continuously-running event of its kind in the word. Two years later, in 1949, the first Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was held at the Ross Bandstand, in Princes Street Gardens, while the Edinburgh International Book Festival joined the fold in 1983 taking place in a single tent - it now welcomes hundreds of authors to the Capital every year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Later additions to the bulging summer rota include the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, the Edinburgh Foodie Festival and the Edinburgh Arts Festival. With the Edinburgh Festival Fringe alone including over 3,350 shows across 265 venues, it can be an intimidating prospect working out how to plan your visit. Here are a few tips to makingt he best of it. Plan ahead Turning up without booking a single show may make you feel like you're keeping your options open, but it's likely to mean that you miss out. Many shows sell out in advance, while finding time to plan while amidst the chaos of Edinburgh is tricky to say the least. This it doubly the case if you are just through for a Friday or Saturday night, when the 'Sold Out' board looks like a page of a telephone directory. You'd be surprised how many people manage to come to Edinburgh for a night and fail to see a single show. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Get copies of all the festival programmes, take your time to flick through them, pick out a few shows that you are particularly keen to see and get them booked. We'd suggest two shows a day, which leaves you plenty of time to be spontaneous. But don't plan too much The polar opposite of those who don't plan at all are those that schedule every minute of any day, turning up in Edinburgh with schedules set in stone - eight shows a day every day, or until they drop. You'll know these people by their highlighted programmes and colour-coded spreadsheets, but while they'll see plenty of shows they'll have no time to add that late-minute addition to the programme or the buzzy comedian who suddenly becomes favourite for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. Also, sometimes it's fun just to see something at random. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe app has a function to find out the nearest show to you on next so you can take a punt - even if it is just to get out of the inevitable rain. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Make sure you know where you are going This is more complicated than it may at first seem. Did you know that the International Book Festival is no longer in Charlotte Square? How about that Shakespeare For Breakfast isn't where it was the five times you're seen it previously? Is that show in Assembly George Street or Assembly George Square (that's one that often catches people out)? Or that there's a difference between the Underbelly and the Udderbelly. Double-check every venue well in advance and know where you're going - otherwise you'll be one of the hundreds of people who turn up to completely the wrong venue every year. Listen to the queue When you're looking to book a few extra shows you'll no doubt read the reams of reviews that are released every day in a myriad of online and physical publications (none better than The Scotsman), but the truth is sometimes a show is becoming a success before the critics even know about it. Some of the best festival intel can be found in the queues you will spend an alarming time in. Get chatting to your queue neighbours and find out what they've seen and would recommend. You're both going to the same show already so your tastes are probably fairly similar. Don't blow the budget on food and drink You're in Edinburgh to see festival shows, which isn't a cheap business - but food and drink can be even more pricey. In the main venues a couple of pints will set you back more than a ticket for many shows, while you'll be amazed how much somebody can charge for a cheese toastie while keeping a straight face. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Luckily, Edinburgh is a city blessed with a multitude of beautiful parks for picnics - the Meadows is close to most of the main festival venues, while Princes Street Gardens is perfect for when you're in the city centre. You might even catch a spontaneous performance when you're there. Between shows, pop into a supermarket and buy some cheap between-show snacks. And remember that, unlike much of Scotland, you can drink alcohol in public in Edinburgh, so if you fancy a tipple there's no need to go to a pub or venue. Get your timings right It's crucial to know how long to plan between shows. Make sure you know how long it will take you to walk between venues - Google Maps is your friend - and add a bit of time if you have to negotiate busy streets like the Bridges or (god forbid - more of this later) the Royal Mile. Also be aware that shows don't always start or finish on time - particularly in the opening few days when issues are being ironed out. If you want a good seat at most Fringe shows you'll need to queue up, so make sure you factor that in too. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We'd recommend a gap of at least 30 minutes between shows taking place at the same venue. Add how long your map app of choice says it'll take to walk between venues to that. So, for example, if you have a show at the Pleasance Courtyard then one at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, allow 45 minutes between shows. Visit the Royal avoid it No visit to the festivals is complete without a walk down the Royal Mile to enjoy the mass of street performers and endless people handing out fliers to their shows. Don't accidentally get stuck there between shows though - it can take you a long time to extracate yourself. Accept being fliered - it's going to happen Don't be the person that's rude to people handing out fliers - it's just part and parcel of being at the festival. Sometimes it'll be a paid employee handing out the promotional fliers, but sometimes it's the performer themselves merrily doling out pictures of their own face. Have a chat to them. They might have show tips or even offer you free tickets. In previous years you might have been fliered by the likes of Emma Thompson, Eddie Izzard, Linn Manuel-Miranda or Phoebe Waller-Bridge - that's a story you don't want to miss out on. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you really don't want another flier, just apologise and smile. It's really not difficult. The Edinburgh Festivals are not just the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Many people make the mistake of thinking the Edinburgh Festival Fringe IS the Edinburgh festivals. Don't just limit yourself to the one part of the Edinburgh experience though - see a Hollywood star do a Q&A after a screening at the film festival, see a Booker Prize-winner and get a signed novel at the book festival, and catch an opera or ballet at the Edinburgh International Festival. Get outside your comfort zone - that's what Edinburgh in August is all about. Also, don't just go to see a couple of names off the telly at the Playhouse and think you've 'done' the festival. You can do that in any city at any time of year. Take advantage of cheap tickets You can pretty much spend as much as you like at the festival, but there's an Edinburgh experience for all budgets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Take advantage of the two free parts of the Fringe - The Free Edinburgh Fringe Festival and PBH's Free Fringe. These shows often take part in pubs and allow free entry, with audiences asked to chuck some money in the performer's bucket on the way out (at last count, the recommended amount was about a fiver). Meanwhile the Monkey Barrel Comedy Club, which has one of the best standup lineups of the Fringe, lets people in for free to take up any unused seats just before shows start. Again, they ask you to give the performer money at the end. If you queue up early enough you can even get into sold out shows (probably because someody has gone to the wrong venue, or not allowed enough time between shows...). There are also numerous offers on tickets to the various festivals - just keep checking all the websites and make sure you are signed up to all the relevant newsletters. At the Edinburgh International Festival, for example, a limited number of £10 concessionary tickets are realeased every morning for performances happening that day. Grab yourself a bargain. If you're up early you can also take advantage of preview prices (in the week before the festivals officially start) and 2-4-1 tickets on the opening Monday and Tuesday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Meanwhile, it doesn't cost anything to wander around the various venues and beer gardens to take in the atmosphere. The Edinburgh International Book Festival garden is our favourite to while away a spare 30 minutes, while at Summerhall you can enjoy a beer or gin brewed/distilled on the premises. Remember your tickets Back in the day it was a simple matter of getting your tickets printed out and making sure you didn't lose them, but now almost all tickets are sent virtually. This means that your mobile phone will be the most important festival weapon in your arsenal. Make sure it's charged up at the start of the day and take a charging pack and lead along with you to deal with flagging batteries. At the start of the day make sure that you know where all your tickets are and that you can access them without any internet access - Edinburgh is filled with mobile blackspots. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the worst case scenario, the venue can usually check your name at the door - but this can hold up the queue and should only be used as a last resort. Dress for (all) the weather
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh council seeks contractors for community events at Ross bandstand
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. The Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
Edinburgh Reporter
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Council seeks Ross Bandstand events contractors
Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand. By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
11-07-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh council looking for Ross Bandstand community event contractor
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Edinburgh Council is seeking contractors to manage and run a new series of community events at the Ross Bandstand. Under plans set out in February, two 'large' community events will be run at the bandstand this year, as well as several smaller events put forward by community groups, with some of the smaller events being free. The bandstand will also continue to play a role in the city's winter festivals, where it is used for concerts and other events throughout the city's Christmas celebrations and Hogmanay. One of the large community events will be targeted at families, while the other will be aimed at young people, with both running for two days. Margaret Graham, Labour councillor and convener of the Culture and Communities Committee, said: 'We want to support a range of events at the Ross bandstand, which will help revitalise Princes Street Gardens and provide entertainment for all those who live in and visit the city. 'It's important that we offer a programme of free events to the residents of Edinburgh and this contract will help us to deliver that.' The city is seeking three contractors, one for each of the large events and one for the community events. One contractor each will be tasked with the large events, while the third will handle management for the programme of small community events. A contract notice by the city spells out that the event programme would initially run for two years, but can be extended in the future. According to a council spokesperson, the city is currently looking for initial expressions of interest from contractors, with contracts being put out for application in early autumn. The contracts are part of a wider plan to reform how the bandstand is used, which councillors decided on in February. The smaller community events are envisioned as being 'low impact', avoiding the large infrastructure many events there currently require. The reform plan was one of the last projects of councillor Val Walker, who convened the Culture and Communities Committee, before she passed away in April. At the time, she said: 'We want to see a new series of performances in place for the Ross Bandstand. These events would be truly free to the residents of Edinburgh.' She envisioned local arts and community groups using a special fund to host events in the space, breaking from the trend of only large festival and music events using the bandstand.
