William Burdett-Coutts
Press clippings
Edinburgh focus: What can be done to save the world's biggest and best arts festival?
As Edinburgh's annual summer spectacular kicks off amid cost-of-living hikes, rising accommodation costs and ongoing concerns about its sheer size and direction of travel, Fergus Morgan asks voices from the industry and beyond about the one thing they would change to secure the festival's future.
Fergus Morgan, The Stage, 4th August 2023Venue boss urges Government to divert Fringe funding away from controversial HQ project
The biggest venue operator at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has accused the UK Government of "misdirecting" millions of pounds of new support for the event by allocating it to a controversial new "headquarters" building.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 4th April 2023Fringe performers pitch tents and caravans as rents in the city double
Comics say they are being priced out, with venue directors warning that future of the event is under threat.
Rachel Hall, The Guardian, 4th August 2022Longest-running venue operator says he has 'lost confidence' in the Fringe Society
The founder of the longest-running venue operator at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, William Burdett-Coutts from the Assembly, says he has "lost confidence" in the body overseeing the event ahead of its first full-scale season for three years.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 3rd August 2022OBE for Assembly's William Burdett-Coutts
William Burdett-Coutts - the head of the Assembly venues at the Edinburgh Fringe - has been made an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Chortle, 12th June 2021Assembly to run new venue in Coventry
Coventry UK City of Culture has announced that Assembly Festival will be setting up, programming and running a substantial new hub venue in the city centre, Assembly Festival Garden. The site will be a centrepiece for the city's year of cultural celebrations and will run from 1 July to mid-October 2021.
Bruce Dessau, Beyond The Joke, 18th May 2021Brexit fears for Fringe ahead of 70th anniversary
The entire ethos of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is under threat from Brexit as it marks its 70th anniversary, according to one of its most experienced promoters.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 6th June 2017Fringe hit by row over 'pointless' digital attraction
One of Edinburgh's most historic festival venues is at the centre of a bitter row over claims that a futuristic makeover is killing trade for venues in the New Town.
Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, 20th August 2016