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The Herald Scotland

The crisis 'slowing killing' the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

They have spoken out ahead of the launch of the official programme for the 2025 Fringe, which is expected to be boast one of the biggest line-ups of shows in the event's 78-year history. Read more: Leading figures have lifted the lid on the impact of soaring accommodation bills, infrastructure costs and city council permits on the festival, which has been valued at more than £200 million for Edinburgh's economy. There is also widespread anger over the prospect of concerts at Murrayfield Stadium, where Oasis and AC/DC are due to appear in August, clashing with the Fringe for the first time, while new city council restrictions on the short-term letting of properties are also said to have contributed to the costs crisis. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe has been running since 1947. (Image: Simfo) One venue operator warned the Fringe was walking a 'precarious tightrope' that was becoming more dangerous every year. The Herald has been told growing incentives are having to be offered to artists and companies to persuade them to take part in the Fringe, with many performers are said to be opting for shorter runs for their shows to try to keep their costs down. The Pleasance Courtyard is one of the most popular venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Picture: Supplied The new chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Tony Lankester, warned last month that the success of the event was being 'taken for granted.' Anthony Alderson, director of the Pleasance Theatre Trust, which has been running Fringe venues for more than 40 years, said: 'The risks and individual losses are now too great for artists and venues alike. The Fringe is walking a precarious tightrope that becomes more vulnerable year on year. We have to take action rather than putting our heads in the sand. 'The current model is a shared problem that we can only solve collectively with businesses and home-owners in the city. We have to do something to bring the cost of accommodation down. 'By having made it so expensive to be here during August, for visitors and performers alike, we are slowly killing the Fringe. 'The Fringe is walking a precarious tightrope that becomes more vulnerable year on year. We have to take action rather than putting our heads in the sand.' Producer James Seabright said: 'It is clear that many challenges face everyone involved in the world's biggest arts festival. 'All the city's summer festivals will wither on the vine if the city prices out visitors who normally travel to attend the Fringe.' Katy Koren, Gilded Balloon's artistic director said: 'The financial model of the Fringe isn't broken, but it is at risk of collapse. 'It has become a lot harder to persuade artists to come to the Fringe. Its value to artists is massively in doubt now and is more in doubt every year.' Producer Richard Jordan said: "I do think that 2025 could finally be the straw that breaks the camel's back."