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Fringe box office system 'flawed' Fringe box office system 'flawed'
(about 8 hours later)
An independent report into the box office fiasco at last year's Edinburgh Fringe has found "fundamental flaws" in the way it was run.An independent report into the box office fiasco at last year's Edinburgh Fringe has found "fundamental flaws" in the way it was run.
The world's largest arts festival was plunged into chaos last summer when its new box office system malfunctioned.The world's largest arts festival was plunged into chaos last summer when its new box office system malfunctioned.
Thousands of people were left without tickets and many performers claimed their shows were undersold.Thousands of people were left without tickets and many performers claimed their shows were undersold.
The report said the decision to buy the system was flawed and staff were not given enough time to get used to it.The report said the decision to buy the system was flawed and staff were not given enough time to get used to it.
'Ultimate responsibility'
It said management lacked direction and transparency when it came to making decisions and did not have enough staff or resources to cope.It said management lacked direction and transparency when it came to making decisions and did not have enough staff or resources to cope.
The Fringe has since acquired a new box office system, which was partly rolled out last summer.The Fringe has since acquired a new box office system, which was partly rolled out last summer.
It also has new funding and plans to have a new staffing structure, which includes replacing the role of director with a chief executive.It also has new funding and plans to have a new staffing structure, which includes replacing the role of director with a chief executive.
Fringe director Jon Morgan resigned at the end of the Fringe, after a string of errors which saw the online booking system collapse.Fringe director Jon Morgan resigned at the end of the Fringe, after a string of errors which saw the online booking system collapse.
The Fringe Society, which runs festival, has since been given a loan of £125,000 from Edinburgh City Council to tackle its cash-flow problems.The Fringe Society, which runs festival, has since been given a loan of £125,000 from Edinburgh City Council to tackle its cash-flow problems.
The 48-page report by the consultants Scott Moncrieff called for the Fringe board to "strengthen procedures to reflect ultimate responsibility and accountability".The 48-page report by the consultants Scott Moncrieff called for the Fringe board to "strengthen procedures to reflect ultimate responsibility and accountability".
It said the choice of box office system was "based on a subjective assessment" and planning and risk management were "insufficient".It said the choice of box office system was "based on a subjective assessment" and planning and risk management were "insufficient".