Every August, Edinburgh plays host to one of the greatest celebrations of arts and culture in the world, attracting visitors and artists from far and wide to our wonderful city. We’re acutely aware that August is a vital time for many Edinburgh businesses; as such, we want to provide a platform to help you showcase your amazing hospitality and services to the festival audiences and artists.
We’re putting together a new local business directory, promoting products and services to Fringe audiences who are looking for places to eat, drink, stay or visit in the city. The directory will be hosted on edfringe.com – a website that notched up 30Mn pageviews in 2024!
It’ll be similar in spirit to our long-running services directory, which helps Fringe artists find local businesses in Edinburgh, from instrument hire and rehearsal space to childcare and accountancy services.
Proceeds from the local business directory will help support the delivery of the iconic Fringe Street Events, which attract thousands of visitors to the city centre each year. By supporting the festival, local businesses can help ensure the festival ecosystem continues to be mutually beneficial.
We’re delighted that Piemaker on South Bridge has stepped forward as an Official Sponsor to inspire other local businesses to get involved. Owner Fiona Venter has witnessed firsthand how the Fringe transforms not just the city, but individual businesses – creating opportunities, bringing new customers through doors and building the vibrant atmosphere that makes Edinburgh special during August. Her commitment to giving back shows how local businesses and the festival can work together to benefit the whole community.
‘It is only right that businesses, particularly in the Old Town area, support the Fringe for what it brings to the city,’ said Fiona. ‘We saw what happened during Covid, when the Fringe did not take place and our revenue in August was 30% of what we normally do when the Fringe is on. This year we are supporting the Fringe and promoting Piemaker's new website offering click and collect ordering to help cut the queues.’
If you have a business in Edinburgh, we’d love for you to get involved too.
Get your business noticed by Fringe audiences
In the build-up to and during the festival, the local business directory will be promoted in our e-newsletter – reaching an audience of over 140,000 subscribers! – as well as via regular social media posts to over 500,000 followers across our channels, ensuring participating businesses receive excellent exposure.
We have several options offering different levels of presence within the directory, as well as an additional opportunity to feature on 10,000 copies of the Fringe venue map (booking deadline 07 July). Prices start at just £200 – check out our ratecard for further details and to get involved.
To book one of the local business directory packages, please complete the form via the link below. The local business directory will go live by 25 July. The venue map will be available from 01 August. Booking deadline is on 07 July.
If you’d like to discuss other ways to work with us, get in touch on support.us@edfringe.com.
