‘Root and branch’ review ordered on future of Edinburgh’s winter festivals
A full-scale review of Edinburgh’s world-famous Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations is to be carried out – as it emerged that new measures to protect Princes Street Gardens from the world-famous events will be put in place this year.
Council chiefs have pledged to give the people of Edinburgh their biggest ever say on the future of the city’s festivities, which have been running for more than 20 years.
A possible re-think, including an overhaul of public funding, could take effect in 2022 as a result of the “root and branch” inquiry.
In recent years, more than 900,000 tickets have been sold across events now said to be worth more than £152 million to the economy.
But senior councillors have ordered the review months after the launch of a campaign to “defend” Edinburgh against over-tourism, the privatisation of public space and the impact of “festivalisation”.
The Cockburn Association, the long-running heritage watchdog, recently raised concerns about the gardens being “effectively converted into a funfair” for events.
The current winter festivals organisers, Fringe operators and producers Underbelly, have been given a twoyear extension to an existing £813,000-a-year-contract, to run until January 2022.
Under their new agreement, they have agreed to step up efforts to reduce the impact of the winter festivals on the gardens following concerns raised on social media about the lengthy closure of some areas while they recover.
The council, rather than Underbelly, will lead the forthcoming review in early 2020 to allow time to put the festivities from 2022 out to tender.
Council culture convener Donald Wilson said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay festivals are internationally renowned and we should all take great pride in the fact they are recognised and enjoyed by residents as well as visitors, bringing significant financial and cultural benefits to the local economy.
“There are financial imperatives in delivering the Christmas and Hogmanay events. However, we have to recognise there has been a growing public debate on the role of festivals and events in the city. People can get angry and vociferous if they feel their voice is not being heard. This is a good time to re-assess what is being delivered, how well it is being received and whether it is what people actually want.”
Cockburn Association director Terry Levinthal said: “We find it a bit odd that a review is announced after the contract extensionhasbeenawardedto Underbelly. A review should have preceded it so that activity is not locked in if the review suggests a significant diversion from current practice.”