THE Edinburgh festivals have reported record ticket sales despite beefed-up security measures in the wake of recent terror attacks.
Leading figures behind the Edinburgh festivals visibly heightened security to ease fears for visitors after recent attacks in London and Manchester.
These included heavy anti-terror barriers on the Royal Mile, with security bollards at central sites to prevent vehicles being driven into pedestrians.
There were also mounted police patrols to help monitor crowds while dog units were also used throughout the throngs of people.
A number of venues also included bag checks while CCTV coverage was expanded to new locations.
But organisers say even with the measures in place, the Fringe, Edinburgh International Festival and the Book Festival all reported record ticket numbers.
Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “In the current climate of global uncertainty, we were delighted to see an increase of
29 per cent the number of countries represented in this year’s Fringe Programme.
“We will continue to work to support global engagement and international participation in the Fringe over the coming years.”
The Fringe registered ticket releases –free and paid – of 2,696,884, a nine per cent increase on 2016.
Four major venues at the Fringe – Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Underbelly – saw a total rise of 15 per cent in ticket sales, amassing 1.52m in total.
Summerhall, another major venue, saw ticket sales rise by 25 per cent.
Sir Tim O’Shea, chairman of the Fringe Society, added: “The Fringe would not be possible without the courage, creativity and hard work of the festival’s participants, and for that we are very grateful.”
The Edinburgh International Festival, meanwhile, took £4.3 million at the box office, a new record compared to last year’s £4.2m, and registered audiences for more than 450,000, up from 440,000 last year.
Fergus Linehan, director of the EIF, said: “As the curtain falls on the 70th anniversary International Festival we are struck by the generosity, enthusiasm and endless curiosity of Festival goers from Edinburgh and all over the world.”
The 2017 Edinburgh International Book Festival also reported a rise in sales.
More than 250,000 people entered the Charlotte Square Gardens venue, the largest in the festival’s history, up from 230,000 last year.
Ticket sales rose by four per cent and book sales rose by more than five per cent, the festival said. In the 17 days of the festival, 63,000 books were sold.
Nick Barley, director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival said: “It’s wonderful to see our extension into George Street has attracted new audiences. This year’s festival has been a riot of ideas and unforgettable conversations.”
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