'No plan B for La Clique' as Famous Spiegeltent plans rejected for city square

David Bates, who created the Famous Speigeltent, which he has brought to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 1996 - and who produces late night cabaret show La Clique, which has its roots in the Fringe - told The Scotsman the show, which celebrated its 21st anniversary last year, could have to be scrapped.

Described in a previous Scotsman review as an “alternative circus cabaret spectacular”, the show’s sometimes risque performances include circus, music and comedy.

Mr Bates has told artists booked in to perform at the Spiegeltent that they will have to find alternative venues with just four months to go until the Fringe after he was unable to obtain a building warrant to satisfy new council regulations, saying there is “no way” at the current time that the tent can go ahead as a festival venue.

He said changes to council rules mean 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. He added a suggestion that he could apply for two consecutive 28 day licences - and even take down the tent in between - had been rejected.

A formal planning application for the site has not been lodged with Edinburgh City Council, however, preliminary discussions between applicants and planning officers take place before any major planning proposal.

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Mr Bates told The Scotsman although there had been a number of years when he did not have the Spiegeltent at the Fringe, he had previously put on La Clique in other venues, including Underbelly’s Circus Tent.

However, he warned the tight timescale meant he may not be able to find an alternative for this summer, when he planned to run shows for six weeks, incorporating the jazz and blues festival, as well as the Fringe. Last year, he had been given permission to run for two months under a temporary licence.

He said: “We haven’t got a plan B for La Clique. La Clique was born in Edinburgh in 2004, evolving out of the late night clubs we held in the Spiegeltent above Waverley Mall. Since, it has had a big life all of its own in venues all over the world.”

A spokesperson for Edinburgh City Council said "alternative options" were being explored with the organisers.

Mr Bates said he would try to reopen talks with city planners, but added that he was not hopeful.

“We don’t know [if there can be any solution],” he said. “All of this has happened just in the last few days. We just wanted to get the message out to everybody so that artists could find other venues before the Fringe programme goes to print.”

It is understood the Spiegeltent on George Square, which is operated by Assembly, has an existing three-year planning permission in place and is not required to reapply until 2028.

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, which runs from 17 to 26 July, just before the Fringe, said it had managed to find alternative spaces for the vast majority of its shows.

Edinburgh City Council planning convenor Joan Griffiths said: “We have a responsibility to protect our outdoor spaces for all those who live in and visit Edinburgh and have robust processes in place for those wishing to use these spaces for commercial purposes.

“We’ve been in regular communication with the organisers of The Famous Spiegeltent, providing support throughout the application process and ensuring they were aware of the national planning requirements.”

She added: “Unfortunately, however, the required paperwork was not submitted in time and we were unable to validate the planning application, but we are continuing to explore alternative options with the organisers.”