Final curtain looms for Fringe Sunday

THE biggest event of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is facing the axe after almost 30 years due to a major funding crisis, The Scotsman has learned.

Organisers are considering pulling the plug on the hugely popular Fringe Sunday event because of soaring running costs, the lack of a headline sponsor and the effects of the cash crisis triggered by the failure of the Fringe box office last summer.

Officials are expected to scrap it within the next few weeks unless an 11th-hour funding package can be put together.

The Scotsman has learned a final decision needs to be taken by the end of this month because of concerns over how to meet the expected £70,000 costs.

The Fringe recently had a £250,000 bailout of public money to prevent it slipping into administration. Another handout, expected to be agreed in the next couple of months, is set to take the total rescue package up to the £500,000 mark.

Fringe Sunday is the biggest single event organised by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, which also runs the daily free entertainment shows on the Royal Mile.

The day-long extravaganza began as an event on the High Street in 1981, soon moving to Holyrood Park and then the Meadows in 2001 in search of more space for performers.

The cost of staging the event has soared in recent years, particularly due to having to pay compensation to the city council for damage done to the Meadows.

A spokesman for the Fringe said: "A review of all Fringe events and activities, including Fringe Sunday, is currently taking place and a final decision has yet to be made on the staging of the event.

"We are assessing the costs and likely income produced by the event before making that decision. The most recent cost of the event has been in the region of £70,000, which represents an increase of 16 per cent on 2007, due to rising transport costs, hire of marquees and other equipment."

The Fringe's box office operation started malfunctioning when ticket sales opened for the 2008 festival last June.

During three months of chaos at the Fringe box office last summer, ticket sales had to be suspended several times; a crucial deadline for sending out pre-booked tickets was missed; shows were over-booked; and venues had to bring in extra staff to cover as the box office system was so unreliable. Ticket sales also slumped by almost 10 per cent.

Fringe officials have since been forced to approach the city council, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise for help, citing major cash-flow problems.

A Fringe insider said: "With the parlous state of the finances, it is no surprise a long, hard look is being taken at whether to go ahead with Fringe Sunday.

"It's been touch and go whether to retain it in the last few years and it's an event which really needs a headline sponsor these days. It's very unlikely one will be found in the current financial climate."

A spokesman for the city council said: "The council is aware of the Fringe's cash-flow difficulties and has put in place a funding package to help tackle the issue. We have not been asked for further financial assistance."


An Edinburgh institution beloved by hundreds of thousands

250,000
Number of spectators who attended Fringe Sunday last year.

1981
The year the first day-long extravaganza began on the High Street. After several years it moved to Holyrood Park due to overcrowding. The event now takes place on the Meadows.

5,000-10,000
Number of people expected at the first Fringe Sunday.

40,000
Number who actually arrived at the event.

150
Number of acts that performed at last year's event in The Meadows.

28
Number of years Fringe Sundays have been held.

7
Performance spaces made up of tents and outdoor stages provided last year.