Good morning lovely people
Nonna G was the master of moderation. Only ever the very best, little but often. This applied to her eating habits as well as her clothes shopping.
So who’s the genius that booked Oasis at Murrayfield on 8th and 9th and now 12th August 2025? Slap bang in the middle of the Festivals.
I’m old enough to remember when Edinburgh Festivals were staggered over more than one month. The demographics for each Festival are different. There may be a little overlap but generally they attract very different audiences. Tattoo guests visiting from America or Australia are not heading off to see Jason Byrne. Nicola Benedetti’s audience at the Usher Hall may be enjoying top authors at the Book Festival, but are they not mainly UK locals anyway? Why are we not giving these visitors another excuse to come to our beautiful city across the shoulder months of the busy season, not just all together for the same three weeks. We’d become an oasis of bliss, not the quagmire it’s often criticised as.
Edinburgh Council spent £40,000 supporting the Taylor Swift concert. The hysteria generated £77m for the local economy. Is this where city funds should be spent to get a commercial return for the economy or should the operator have paid for the full cost of the set up? In 2026 the Visitor Levy will maybe be paying the bill. 5% tourist tax on overnight accommodation. Revenue to be reinvested back into the city but administration charges are already set to be over £1m. Cities need investment to thrive and survive. Like everything, there will be a point that visitors don’t want to pay any more regardless of the attractions. So are we missing the bigger prize. With so much criticism of over tourism, is it time for a rethink how we place our festivals and spread them out over the year?
I believe there is an international timetable in operation. Scheduling musicians, comedians, actors is often done at an international level but is our only window for the arts in Edinburgh, August? Based on the release of the Oasis live ‘25 date you would think so. The Cardiff date in July would have been more like a Champagne Supernova.
Edinburgh the Festival city, yes. How about Edinburgh; the city of Festivals, all year round.
Overnight we’d become less crowded, more sustainable and give visitors more reasons to visit. Only ever the best, little but often. From a hospitality viewpoint it would be a dream. It would also hugely help the smaller freelance artists who rely on the Fringe to make their break. Accommodation costs could be cheaper for them and for their audiences.
One festival that sits happily on its own; Christmas. No it’s not too early to mention the c word. Our menus are now available online. The diary is open and we look forward to celebrating this great season with you all. Christmas comes once a year, no need for moderation on this one.
Another big celebration is our Birthday at Cannonball. We’re 10. Hurray! As a business we’ve always tweaked things. Never been frightened to rethink or change. At George Street only a few of you will remember when we had a cheese counter. Oh yes we did. At Cannonball we started with a gelateria and ended with a beautiful Bar and Private Dining Room. The lead has always been the food in the restaurant. This week we’re making a few more refreshes to the dining room. Furniture and lighting tweaks. Some warmer changes that we know you will love. Come and join us for our new season Tasting Menu which launches on Monday. £65 per person. It’s worth it. The Peelham Farm sirloin on the a la carte menu is incredible. Cannonball is definitely an oasis off in the heart of the tourist trail worth visiting all year round.
Keep well and don’t look back in anger; D’you know what I mean (no I was never an Oasis fan either).
