Roll with it? What hosting Oasis in the middle of the Fringe will do to Edinburgh

£600 a night at 'budget' hotels, the rise of the ‘tourist commute’ and homeless families shipped out again

If there is one thing Tony Lankaster is clear about, it’s that there is no point in moaning about a clash of dates between Oasis and the Fringe.

The chief executive of the Fringe Society is settled in his new home city ahead of his first Festival season in charge and ready to face the considerable challenges head on.

A meeting in recent weeks with promoters DF concerts was constructive and showed the potential for collaboration.

“We need to stay close with them and manage expectations. If fans are here for a night or two for the concerts, they could take that chance to catch shows as well,” says Lankaster. “It can be viewed as an opportunity.”

Get ready for the flyer teams targeting bucket hat-topped fans with leaflets about shows with names like Definitely Maybe Funny.

What about the hotel prices? That is a slightly different matter for the entrepreneurial South African. “I accept it’s a tough economic environment for them as well. They are businesses. But I’d challenge them on the dynamic pricing model. There’s a point beyond which it becomes inaccessible for many.”

The Oasis effect

You think Edinburgh normally gets busy in August? What’s going to happen in four weeks time? On Friday, 8 August, Oasis take to the stage for the first of three sell-out concerts at Murrayfield Stadium. The others are on Saturday and Tuesday, 9 and 12 August, in case you want to mark them in your diary for whatever reason. Not forgetting the visit of Acca Dacca, the Aussie metal heroes otherwise known as AC/DC appear on Thursday, 21 August.

Altogether, 290,000 music fans are expected at Murrayfield Stadium over those 13 days in the thick of the Festivals. There is no doubt that’s fuelling the already enormous demand for hotel rooms in the Capital.