Exclusive:Famous Spiegeltent owner 'astonished and perplexed' at speed of permissions for relocated Fringe pop ups
The spiegeltent made a return to St Andrew Square last year
The owner of the original Famous Spiegeltent which was unable to get permission to operate in an Edinburgh square has said he is “astonished and perplexed” after pop-up venues - including a spiegeltent - were granted permission for the same spot just days following the Princes Street fire.
David Bates, who created the Famous Speigeltent, which he has brought to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 1996, says he ran out of time to apply for planning permission for his tent to be located in St Andrew Square as it was last year - after he was unable to obtain a complex building warrant to satisfy new council regulations.
Mr Bates, who said he spent almost £20,000 on the application procedure, said in April that changes to interpretation of council rules meant the 1920s wooden mirror tent is classed as a permanent structure if it is in place for more than 28 days, including put up and take down, and required a full building warrant.
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He was told he needed more documents after preliminary discussions with city planners, Mr Bates claimed, but did not have time to do so before needing to submit a full planning application in time for approval before the festival season.
However, last week, Assembly, which operates the Assembly Rooms Fringe venue, said its Bijou and Front Room venues which are usually put up on George Street, would be moved to St Andrew Square after annual plans to pedestrianise George Street were scrapped to allow bus access for diversions due to the closure of Princes Street. The venues, which are hosting shows including Scaramouche Jones and Frisky’s Remix Roulette, are set to be relocated alongside a temporary bar and box office.
Bijou is described by Assembly as “an intimate and striking Spiegel tent”.
Mr Bates, who said he had begun work on his planning application in October, said: “I am simply astonished and perplexed, given the 30 year historic relationship - even love affair - between Edinburgh and The Famous Spiegeltent. The Famous Spiegeltent paved the way and was the first of all spiegeltents used in Edinburgh and the UK. It has become a model for festivals and used around the world from Edinburgh to Adelaide, London to the USA, Ireland to South Africa.
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“I was denied usage of St Andrew Square by Edinburgh City Council after spending thousands of pounds to get approved and working for over 10 months - while Assembly was granted use of the gardens in four days. It is astonishing.”
He added: “While I am supportive of my Fringe colleagues, the most amazing thing is that it took the council four days to approve the “hired” spiegeltent that Assembly are using, plus a second venue and full bar infrastructure.”
Princes Street is set to be closed well into August due to a blaze at the former Debenhams department store in early July.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh City Council said: “Despite the applicant being told exactly what was required regarding paperwork for the Spiegeltent this was not submitted in time, and we were unable to validate the planning application. This left St Andrew Square vacant during the festival this year.
“Following the recent fire on Princes Street and the knock-on effects for George Street, we are allowing Assembly Festival, as we would for any organisation in this position, to use this space for their structures under delegated authority as there isn’t time for them to go through the usual planning process.”
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