Promoter says cheap accommodation is the only way to grow Edinburgh Fringe

CHEAPER accommodation at Edinburgh's festivals is "critical" if the city is to stave off competition from rivals, a leading Fringe promoter said today.

Charlie Wood, co-director of the Underbelly – one of the biggest operators at the Fringe – said the cost of living in Edinburgh could mean its festivals will struggle to grow in future.

He called for the idea of creating a city centre campsite for visitors to be brought back onto the agenda in order to encourage more 18 to 35-year-olds to visit in future years.

And his comments were backed up by the city's festivals champion Councillor Steve Cardownie, who wants to see cheaper temporary accommodation for performers, amid fears that many will not come to Edinburgh because of the risk of losing money.

Mr Wood said: "This is a critical issue. It is not about a fear that audiences will decrease, it is a fear of where the next increase comes from.

"We need to keep growing audiences and renewing our audience and ensuring there are always new generations who come and enjoy the festival.

"The Festival needs to attract more of the 18-35 age group from outside of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Scotland.

"It is very expensive to stay in hotels and because one of Edinburgh's virtues is that it is a small city, that makes it expensive to stay in. It is an issue for performers but also an issue for audiences as well."

One option investigated by former Fringe director Paul Gudgin was for a "floating hostel" to be berthed at Leith Docks. And the idea of setting up a temporary camp site was first investigated by Mr Wood three years ago, with the Jack Kane Centre among the options. However, he said that was too far out of town and somewhere more central would be needed. When asked whether the Meadows would be an option, he said he "does not want to go there".

Cllr Cardownie admitted the cost of visiting Edinburgh could result in fewer performers coming to festivals, which could in turn impact audience numbers.

A spokesman for the Festival Fringe Society said: "It would be wrong to suggest that a visit to the Fringe is expensive – it is very good value for money."

Is cut-price city camping for festival goers a good idea?

John MacMillan, 30, Gorgie, HR consultant: "Yes because it will rejuvenate the festival and offer more youngsters the chance to get involved."

Kathleen Green, 68, Newtongrange: "It's a fantastic idea. I have grandchildren who go to T in the Park and I'm sure they would use the camping facility to see Festival shows."

Robert Cockburn, 80, Currie, Midlothian: "It would have to be well controlled, well organised and well located."