Plea for more Fringe grants

One of the key figures in the Edinburgh Fringe has called for more public money to help the event.

William Burdett-Coutts, artistic director of The Assembly Rooms, said it was "crazy" the festival did not receive more grants.

And he criticised Edinburgh city council, which hiked the venue's rent to £100,000 after being put out to competitive tendering.

Speaking at the launch of his venue's programme, he said: "It's such a powerful public event but it gets next to no public support."

Published: 3 Aug 2001