Brian Logan recognises that the Edinburgh fringe festival must reform (The Edinburgh fringe is too long, too expensive and too gruelling. It must change or die, 29 August).
However, his visitor and insider focus means he fails to confront the underlying issues. Yes, accommodation is ludicrously expensive, but for two reasons. First, much of the property available for short-term renting is owned by investors seeking precisely those premium August rents. Second, the supply is finite, while, despite the Covid hiatus, the aim of the fringe and the associated tourist industry has been to grow year on year.
The traditionally diverse population living in the city centre has been hollowed out as affordable flats were flipped to holiday lets, eroding a key feature of the world heritage site. As the bin strike demonstrated, not just fringe performers in August but also public service workers now find living costs beyond their means.
The long austerity squeeze means budgets for cleaning, policing and other essential local services have not kept pace with the never-ending fringe growth model, so trashing the world heritage site. Sustainability, capacity and a citizen voice need to be central to restructuring the festivals.
Emeritus prof Cliff Hague
Chair, Cockburn Association (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust)
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