The Impact of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival on Local Businesses

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival has once again proven to be a significant economic driver for local businesses in the city.

Data collected by payment provider SumUp reveals impressive increases in transactions during the first week of the festival compared to the last week of July:

Independent businesses in Edinburgh saw a 37% increase in overall takings and across Scotland, independent businesses experienced a 5.65% boost in takings during the Fringe.

With the biggest increases in sales seen in: 

• Cafés and Restaurants: 44% increase in takings
• Food Trucks: 44% increase in takings
• Concert and Theatre Venues: 67% increase in takings

Cally Daw, Co-Owner of espresso and brunch bar, Zebra Coffee Co, discussed the effects of fringe first hand, she said: “The mass influence of people who come to our shop from the fringe is always a major boost.

“We’re down from Edinburgh castle, so in terms of location for the fringe, we’re really in the center of it all.

“The first and last weekend are busier than any normal summer month but quiet for the fringe, but the two middle weeks are insane.

“Since 2020 it went quiet and the fringe didn’t pick up until last year, now it’s went back to normal.”

The data underscores the importance of events and experiences in driving economic growth, particularly benefiting small businesses and the high street.

As the Fringe continues to attract visitors from around the world each year, its positive impact on local businesses and the broader economy remains significant.