Fringe venue chief threatens to pull out

Published on Friday 6 June 2008 21:59

THE impresario in charge of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe's biggest venue is threatening to pull out unless a revamp of the building is shelved.

William Burdett-Coutts says he will withdraw from the festival by 2010 unless Edinburgh City Council scraps plans for the Assembly Rooms on George Street.

He has run shows there for 27 years, helping give Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson and Lenny Henry their big break.

But Mr Burdett-Coutts is battling plans to transform the Georgian landmark into a year-round arts and events venue.

Work will rule out its use in the 2011 festival, and Mr Burdett-Coutts claims the changes will leave him with three instead of the present six spaces for shows, and without the bulk of his lucrative bar operation.

Mr Burdett-Coutts has used the comedy festival brochure for a tirade against the council, claiming it failed to consult him about its plans and was forcing him out of business.

Mr Burdett-Coutts told The Scotsman: "I am simply stating the facts. We will not be able to keep going if we lose half of our operation in the Assembly Rooms."

Steve Cardownie, the city's festivals champion, dismissed claims of a lack of consultation as "complete nonsense" and said the council would be happy to put the right to run the Assembly Rooms during the Fringe out to tender.