Edinburgh's Festival Fringe organisers have received backlash over their newly announced plans to not go ahead with using the Fringe app for this year's event. Replying on Twitter to a user saying that the app was "the last piece of the puzzle," organisers confirmed it would not be available this year.
The tweet was met with a lot of angry reactions, as well as messages from several performers, urging organisers to reconsider the decision, as they say the app made it easier to find acts and book tickets throughout the summer festival.
The Fringe's 75th anniversary will take place in August, with the app playing a big part for tourists and performers to navigate their way through the world's largest arts festival. Edinburgh Festival Fringe said in a tweet: "No official Fringe app this year Steve but our ticketing website is optimised for mobile so should work from your smartphone or tablet. We're keeping a record of interest in the app though, so thanks for letting us know."
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Unsurprisingly, the tweet soon gained traction and has since gathered 300 replies. Comedian Dalia Malek replied: "Sorry if this sounds quirky but I’m interested in the debilitating amount of money I paid to be fairly exchanged for the goods & services I expected."
Fellow comedian Lauren Pattison, who won 'Best Newcomer' at the Fringe in 2017, added to the frustration, saying: "Definitely worth a rethink getting rid of this, feels a step backwards! the app is so handy for performers and audience, and much more user friendly on the go than the website. + crucial when it comes to punters taking a chance on someone last min with the ‘nearby now’ function."
Well-known TV presenter Richard Osman also jumped to defend those opposing the decision. Replying to Mark Watson's tweet regarding confirmation that the app would not be available this year, he said: "Yep, the App is so much better. Very hard to navigate the website, and the weird ticketing system. Already lost track of what tickets I've bought and the timetable."
Since the backlash, organisers at the Festival Fringe have put out a statement on Twitter. Apologising for the inconvenience, but refusing to change their stance on the decision due to the cost of maintaining the smartphone app.
A six-part statement from Fringe Society CEO Shona McCarthy starts with: “We share everyone’s disappointment about the absence of the Fringe app in 2022.
"It is worth remembering that Covid restrictions were still affecting the events industry until the end of February. Our first priority this year was to ensure the Fringe could return to Edinburgh, giving as many people as possible a stage or a seat.
"The Fringe Society has been in recovery, along with the rest of the sector, still operating with a depleted team and trying to manage limited resources as best possible for the healthy return of the Fringe.
“After two pandemic-affected years running on shoestring budgets, we simply did not have the budget required to build and maintain the app this year at the point when this work needed to be undertaken (Dec 2021).
“The entire Fringe community is coming together after being battered and bruised by Covid-19. I’m confident that, with a year under our belts and some fresh income returning to the event, we will be in a much stronger position to invest in our digital offering.
"I am sorry this is the situation, and can reassure the Fringe community that we have every intention of re-instating the app once our finances are more robust.”
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