...so say three-quarters of its residents

Three-quarters of Edinburgh residents believe the Fringe makes the city a better place to live.

Although the common perception is that city residents resent the chaos the festival brings every August, 75 per of those polled in an independent survey were positive about its benefits.

The survey was carried out in September last year, just after a scaled-down Fringe was put together within weeks amid Covid restrictions.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, 61 per cent would have liked more shows to choose from.

And a similar figure – 63 per cent – said the pandemic made then  value the Fringe more. No festival at all was held in 2020.

The results were released by the Fringe Society, which co-ordinates the programme and promotes the festival, just before registration opens for this year’s event.

Those with venues confirmed can register from next Monday, with the print programme deadline on May 6.

This year’s Fringe will take place from August 5 to 29, with preview shows in the few days before then.

Published: 31 Jan 2022