Fringe players

Another year, another set of dire warnings about the current state of the Edinburgh Festival and its future viability if things don’t change. It is as inevitable as it is depressing.

Money is usually at the heart of it, in two areas specifically. First, funding and support for the arts at governmental and council level. Second the costs associated with coming to Edinburgh in August either as performer or punter.

The major complaint on that front is the soaring price of accommodation, the result in part of an ugly tendency among private landlords in the capital for (let’s call it what it is) naked profiteering. The pernicious effect of American online rental behemoth Airbnb and other companies like it doesn’t help either. In Edinburgh, their presence has helped industrialize the hollowing out of the city centre, a process which has paved the way for sky-high August prices.

At the same time, the council now requires those who may only let out a room or sub-let while on holiday to apply for a licence (and possibly also planning permission). This has taken some accommodation out of the market, which affects supply. Airbnb says it hasn’t prevented rising costs, nevertheless the company is among those lobbying hard for its repeal.

There may be a shortage of money for the Arts but there is always plenty of 'street theatre' (Image: free) Meanwhile a year-round 5% visitor levy, or tourist tax, is due to be introduced in time for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival, though it remains to be seen how much (if any) of the mooted £50 million windfall will be sent in the direction of the August........

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