It's no joke for Billy Connolly fans as booking system fails again

Published on Wednesday 8 July 2009 09:51

FANS trying to buy tickets to see Billy Connolly play live at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh failed to see the funny side yesterday after computer glitches again crashed the booking system.

Edinburgh City Council, which owns the venue, had been working overnight to try and get the system up and running again after demand saw it fail on Monday.

But, despite assurances all would be well, they were only able to fix half of it, and only phone bookings were being accepted.

Online sales were unavailable as even an alternative link failed, leaving fans to scrabble over the phone lines as they tried to secure tickets for the show.

Emergency supplies were rushed to Ripping Records on the Bridges to get sales moving.

The four Edinburgh gigs in September were the only ones not to sell out on the first day.

A message on the website read: "We are still working towards fixing our technical problems.

"We will be able to accept telephone calls today but unfortunately we will be unable to offer online sales."

The box office is extending its opening hours and two additional outlets are selling the tickets.