Edinburgh Fringe ‘at crisis point’, organisers warn

The world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival is at "crisis point" and requires ongoing government support to remain economically viable, organisers have warned.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival Society says that while funding announced as part of the Spring Budget is welcome, the money can only be put towards the cost of establishing a new creative community hub in the city – something that is a long-way off.

It said that it is continuing to lobby government for long-term investment and support as the current self-sustaining funding model is no longer viable, adding that "some Fringe venues and artists are on the brink".

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As part of the UK Government's Spring Budget, set out by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt earlier this month, a total of £8.6m will be provided to Edinburgh’s festivals.

Of this, £1.6m of which will go to Edinburgh International Festival, with the remaining £7m allocated to Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for "capital" purposes.

The Fringe Society said the money will go towards a new creative community hub in Edinburgh which will incorporate the services of the Fringe Society during the festival and throughout the year. 

However, this will not happen any time soon as the work is dependent on the society creating a full business case and detailed scoping, shaped and developed through consultation with Fringe participants, local community and Edinburgh stakeholders. 

"The investment commitment is the first step in a long process – planning and consultation with the Fringe community is now the project’s next priority," a statement by the board said.

It said that while the funding from central government represented a "landmark" for the Fringe festival, help is still needed to secure the future of the event.

"Post-covid the Edinburgh Fringe model has reached crisis point," the statement said. 

"The festival’s self-sustaining model is no longer viable for anyone – particularly the Fringe artists and venues."

Essential support

The society said it hopes that the recognition and investment from government will help it leverage essential support for the Fringe that isn’t restricted to capital.

"We all know that the Fringe, which prides itself on inclusion, feels unaffordable for many, with some Fringe venues and artists on the brink. 

"It has already been acknowledged by UK Government that this capital support is not an answer to all of the challenges, and we will continue to fight for all other areas that require funding to ensure the survival and sustainability of this incredible festival."

The society said that in terms of a ticketed global event, the Edinburgh Festivals rival a FIFA World Cup, and are close to an Olympic Games, yet happen every single year. 

"Because the Fringe has grown organically and has always found a way to adapt, it has never been properly considered, recognised or supported as the significant global event and cultural brand that it represents for Scotland and the UK," the society said.
 
"The recognition from UK Government through capital funding is an important milestone, but is only one part of the ambition for long-term investment, support and acknowledgement that the overall Fringe project needs to reinvent itself for a thriving and sustainable future."

It added that the Fringe Society "continues to relentlessly lobby for support on a number of fronts", including the sourcing of affordable, accommodation for artists, an extension of theatre tax relief for temporary Fringe venues, further funds for the recently announced Keep it Fringe artists' fund, and additional support channels for all participants in the Fringe.