Fringe chief to hold crisis talks as protests over venue costs grow

Published on Monday 17 August 2009 22:57

FRINGE chief Kath Mainland is to hold crisis talks with independent venue operators amid fears that the soaring costs of bringing shows to Edinburgh risk killing the festival.

A host of senior figures on the festival lined up yesterday to express fears about the future of the Fringe despite reports that the event is set to smash previous box office records.

Ms Mainland, who took up her post in May, was warned that a string of medium-sized venues would close in the next few years if mounting problems were nor addressed.

She has agreed to act as a broker with the city council amid claims that venues and show producers would turn to rival festivals outwith Scotland unless the costs of staging shows in Edinburgh in August can be brought down.

Soaring costs for accommodation and theatre licences are among the main concerns for venues, along with a lack of funding to bring shows to the city.

Several leading venue operators criticised the council and the Festival Fringe Society, which holds its annual meeting this weekend, warning of "dangerous" complacency over the future threats to the festival, and too much "self-congratulation" over the success of the festival.

Tomek Borkowy, artistic director of Universal Arts, said many venues were struggling this year, despite good audiences, and that cost increases were "completely unsustainable".

He said: "Businesses in Edinburgh and the city council don't recognise the Fringe as an industry yet as venues we have been hit with an 800 per cent increase in the cost of securing a theatre licence. It's costing us in the region of 180,000 to put this venue on this year and it's by no means certain we'll make that money back."

Hartley Kemp, artistic director of C Venues, said the cost of a licence for a small venue was effectively 7.50 a ticket and Edinburgh was charging the highest prices of any UK city this year.

Ms Mainland said it was crucial that venue operators spoke with "one voice" and worked with the Fringe on a "cohesive and coherent" argument for change.

"I am more than happy to act as a conduit but the Fringe needs to know exactly what the issues are for venues," she added.

Faith Liddell, director of Festivals Edinburgh, the umbrella body which represents the interests of the 12 major events in the city, said: "It wasn't so long ago that some of the festivals were at each other's throats.

"That has changed now. Although they are in competition it's important that venues work together on areas where they can co-operate."

Steve Cardownie, deputy leader of the council, said: "Licence fees are set to cover the cost of processing applications and we do what we can to support the smaller productions and charitable organisations. We are constantly listening and will take on board any feedback which will help us in determining future rates."

Ms Mainland yesterday announced a project after this year's festival period to gauge the economic benefit to Edinburgh of its flagship events.

Research in 2004 found that the summer festivals attracted 2.6 million visitors, generating more than 125 million for the capital's economy.

The Fringe was by far the most important event, raking in an estimated 70m. That figure is expected to be closer to 100m now.