Fringe wars fightback by Sheppard

FRINGE stalwart Tommy Sheppard has hit back at rival claims that setting up the Famous Speigeltent in George Street this summer will be “pointless”.

Gilded Balloon boss Karen Koren last week said, in her column in The Guide section of the Evening News, that Fringe-goers would not be able to move around freely and that young drinkers would “ruin the area”.

She also said that her venue, along with the Assembly Theatre, Pleasance and Underbelly, had the best shows.

But in a letter to the News today, Mr Sheppard, who runs the Assembly Rooms in George Street, says: “‘We’ve got the best Fringe shows’ she declares. Not any more, honey. And please, don’t worry about us having fun. We will.

“It’ll be the place to relax in comfort and soak up the festival atmosphere without getting ripped off. And right slap bang in the heart of the city centre.”

Letters – Pages 14-15