PBH boss says: 'No compromise'

The PBH Free Fringe has apparently ruled out a compromise to resolve the ‘free-asco’ over the Cowgatehead venue at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Early today rivals Freestival proposed a ‘two-state’ solution in which the disputed venue would be split in two – lower floors operated by them, upper ones by PBH.

However PBH venues co-ordinator Frank Galbraith poured cold water on the idea within hours – insisting they had the sole right to programme the venue, and suggesting that any alternative would be unworkable as it wouldn’t have the blessing of the licensee. That’s in complete denial of Freestival’s claims that the solution was arrived at with the licensee.

Around 150 comedians booked into the venue through the Freestival operation have been left in limbo for the past four days, since Free Fringe founder Peter Buckley Hill made a public statement claiming they had no right to offer rooms there. The acts had already paid up to £360 to be in the official Edinburgh Fringe Programme, whose deadline for changes had already passed.

Freestival board member Jools Constant met with Waugh today and said he ‘hammered out the compromise agreement’ that would save the shows – and invited PBH to a meeting to finalise the details.

But writing on Facebook, Galbraith said: ‘Having just now discussed the situation with the licensee, in light of recent Freestival claims, PBH will remain as venue promoter for Cowgatehead & Cowshed. A further planned meeting has been arranged for later this week and all performers will be updated.’

In a longer post, he outlined a timeline of discussions with the owners of Cowgatehead – actually three generations of the Waugh family all called Kenny, who are not always on the same page when it comes to negotiations. The ‘middle’ Kenny has not yet responded to Chortle’s request for comment.

But according to Galbraith, PBH was approached by the building’s landlord and ask to programme shows for the 2015 Fringe. Galbraith added: ‘When we also told him that Freestival had already informed the fringe office that they were using the venue and that they had already booked acts, the lessor was furious and stated that he did not nor would he be giving them permission. He also stated that he couldn’t have given such permission anyway as he had not yet secured the lease himself.’

He added: ‘We completely sympathise with the performers that have been let down due to the mismanagement of their promoters [Freestival]. We have conducted ourselves in a professional and ethical manner during our negotiations with all parties involved. However, we will not accept unjustified criticism from the people that caused this situation just to try and save face.’

Freestival had ascribed blamed Buckley Hill for the chaos saying: ‘Why would PBH agree to sign the deal so late in the year without first speaking with us, in full knowledge of the commitments already made by ourselves and the performers?’

When they proposed the upstairs-downstairs split of the venue, a Freestival spokesman said: ‘Under this arrangement no Freestival acts would be required to move, and all existing time slots would be honoured. PBH would take the upper floors and would have ample space for the six rooms he has proposed and would be able to book those as he sees fit.

‘A meeting to discuss this is arranged for next week. Freestival and the Licensee have already confirmed attendance. All that remains is for Peter and the Free Fringe board to sit down with us and work out the details.

‘We have sent an e-mail to Peter requesting that he meet with us in the spirit of co-operation and in the best interests of the acts.’

Now, it seems, that co-operation will not be forthcoming.

Published: 25 May 2015