Despite protests after Edinburgh festival did the same

The Brighton Fringe is ditching its app next year – despite the furore sparked when the Edinburgh Fringe made the same move.

Organisers say only five per cent of ticket sales come through the app compared to 80 per cent through the website, and it just hasn’t the resources to maintain it this year.

Instead it is promising an improved website and box office – which would need  ‘further significant investment’ to integrate with the app.

A spokesman said: ‘Brighton Fringe is feeling the effects of rising inflation, and is operating with a significantly reduced staff team and budgets compared to pre-pandemic levels, while endeavouring to provide the same levels of services to participants.

‘Therefore, Brighton Fringe has made the difficult decision to pause the mobile app for the 2023 festival. We are currently exploring all other alternatives but will only invest in a product that Brighton Fringe feels proud of.’

Shows pay between £99 and £180 to be part of the programme, depending on the total number of seats being sold, with an early-bird registration available until 5pm on Friday offering a 30 per cent discount.

Edinburgh Fringe organisers faced a backlash from comedians and producers for dropping its app this year without any announcement, nor reduction in fees – although they were frozen for yet another year.

Published: 23 Nov 2022