Hospitality leader Tony Crolla has suggested Edinburgh ease its accommodation concerns at the Festival by copying the athletes villages built at the Olympic Games.
With soaring prices forcing some performers to stay away, the owner of the Vittoria Group says action is needed to ensure the city does all it can to avoid seeing a decline in the world’s biggest arts event.
He notes that Edinburgh has already lost the TV Festival which will move to Manchester last year. The organisers blamed high costs in Scotland’s capital.
Mr Crolla welcomed the new visitor levy to help manage visitors and make them welcome, but he said easing the cost of staying in Edinburgh had to be tackled.
“Every August, thousands of performers come through this city for weeks – and that’s not cheap for them,” he said.
“Maybe we should take a leaf out of how Olympic cities do it – an athlete’s village, but for Fringe performers? Everything in one place, low cost. They’re a huge reason the city’s full in the first place.
“You only stay a world class city by fighting for it. That means looking after the people who make it worth visiting, not just managing what’s left behind.”
His comments drew significant support on social media, with suggestions for using the Meadows or Meadowbank Stadium, as well as university halls, though they are already let out during the summer months.
Financial adviser Luke Russell, said:”Great idea about the performers’ village, Tony. It can be extremely expensive for artists to stay, as I know from friends and family who’ve done that. Many come to Edinburgh and make a significant loss, even established acts.”
Iris Marhencke, guest relations manager at Gleneagles Hotel, also said it was a “great idea”.
Napier University graduate Jennyfer Debon said: “Absolutely agree on a performer’s village!! I’m in countless Fringe Facebook groups and a common problem I see is people looking for somewhere affordable to stay for the duration of their run, even having to flat-share with other performers. I hope a performer’s village is something I can see done soon!”
The Television Festival will be held in Edinburgh in August for the last time, ending a 50-year tradition and leaving a big hole in the entertainments calendar.
It is blow to the city’s revenue and reputation, given that it attracts around 2,000 delegates and has established itself as one of the most influential gatherings in the UK TV calendar.
Meanwhile, Mr Crolla has opened Amorino on North Bridge as restoration work on the crossing finally comes to an end. It is the first of four outlets that Vittoria Group will open in Scotland.
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