Assembly loses sponsorship cash
Another financial blow for Edinburgh
Another sponsor has pulled out of the Edinburgh Fringe, with the Assembly Rooms losing an estimated £60,000 a year from drinks firm Bellhaven.The company has decided not to renew its backing of the venue after four years, in a move venue boss William Burdett-Coutts called ‘a great shame’.
The news comes after the main comedy award, formerly known as the Perrier, lost its backer, Intelligent Finance, while the much-criticised Edinburgh Comedy Festival coalition between the big four venues, including the Assembly Rooms, has also failed to attract a headline sponsor
Bill Hughes, managing director of Bellhaven’s drinks division, said: ‘We are constantly reviewing and refreshing our brand sponsorship and marketing, so our commercial decision is not to renew our sponsorship this year.
Burdett-Coutts told the Sunday Herald in Glasgow: ‘They have been a great sponsor. We’re very sad that they have decided to move on. Anything that affects the operation in this way doesn’t help.’
He said he was talking to a number of other companies in an attempt to replace Bellhaven, who promoted their Best beer through the sponsorship.
Published: 12 Apr 2009
