Festival Fringe Arts and Crafts Markets
2012 Trader Information

Application Deadline –Monday 30th April

For the thirteenth year running, the Fringe will be organisinga vibrant schedule of Street Events, on the Royal Mile and Mound Precinct for the duration of the Festival. A diverse range of national and international performers will be entertaining the crowds with acrobatic feats, comedy, drama, music, dance and much more. The two arts and crafts markets on West Parliament Square and the Mound are a vital part of the Fringe’s Street Events.Attracting large numbers of locals and tourists, performers and promoters from all over the world, there is no doubt, that the Street Events make an excellent trading location.

The 2012 festival dates are 3rd– 27th August but the market will run from Saturday 4th to Monday 27th August. In order to produce a market unified in appearance, the Fringe supplies all stalls.
No independent stalls arepermitted to trade on the High Street.

Selection Criteria

As an integral part of activities we are looking for stallholders who will fit with the nature of the event. Our aim is to put together a market selling a diverse range of original, handmade, high quality goods, designed and made by the traders themselves. The selection criteria are as follows:

  • Only designer makers should apply
  • Applicants can only make one application
  • Applicants must be able to prove that they have made all products by hand, themselves. Any products which appear mass produced or imported will not be considered.
  • Allocations of stalls in previous years will not influence the decisions of the Committee.
  • The final selection of traders will represent as diverse a range of crafts as possible.
  • Products must not directly compete with products sold in retail outlets in the vicinity.

Products must be:

  • Deemed of a high quality and demonstrate an original use of materials.
  • Presented attractively within the stall space.
  • Meet The City of Edinburgh Council’s trading standards – see CEC website.

We expect a high number of applications so if your products do not meet the above requirements please do not apply as you will not be offered a stall.

Looking to trade for the full festival?

Traders requesting to operate for the duration of the Festival will be allocated stalls on High Street for two weeks and Mound for one. By applyingfor the full festival, you are agreeing to accept this package.

The price of trading at the Fringe Street Events for the duration of the festival is £1498 + VAT

Looking to trade for one or two weeks?

Those selected to trade for one or two weeks will be allocated stalls on either of the two sites. Traders may request specific weeks but not specific sites. The Fringe will then allocate stalls to successful applicants.Traders unhappy with their allocation may pull out at this stage.

The price of trading will depend on the site and the week allocated, week three is ten days long as

it includes two weekends one of which is a Bank Holiday.

Dates and Prices:

Full Festival (two weeks on High Street, one week on Mound)

Saturday 4th – Monday 27th£1498 + VAT

High Street week by week:

Week 1: Saturday 4th– Friday 10th August £466 + VAT

Week 2: Saturday 11th– Friday 17th August £466 + VAT

Week 3:Saturday 18th – Monday 27th August £620 + VAT

Mound week by week:

Week 1: Saturday 4th– Friday 10th August £428 + VAT

Week 2: Saturday 11th– Friday 17th August £428 + VAT

Week 3:Saturday 18th – Monday 27th August £535 + VAT

Prices include:

  • Pitch and covered stall provided by the Fringe.
  • Trestle table
  • Shared use of a storage container
  • Security

Preliminary Terms and conditions

(Final terms and conditions will be detailed if you are accepted as a stall holder)

  • Stalls will be erected and ballast put in place by Fringe staff. Stalls may only be moved by Fringe staff.
  • Traders must trade from the stall they have been allocated.
  • Trading times are from 11:00 until 20:45 except for on 27th August when trading must cease at 17:00.
  • Vehicle Access to High Street Market: All vehicles must be clear of the High Street by 10:30. Evening access is not permitted until the road closure is lifted at 21:00. On Saturdays, due to the extra show at the Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle, you may not have access until 21:30 – 22:00, We recommend you avoid bringing cars on site on Saturday evenings by using the storage container provided.
  • Vehicle Access to Mound Precinct Market: Access is between 9:30 and 10:30. All vehicles must be clear of the Mound Precinct by 10:30. Morning and evening loading will be via Mound Street between the two National Galleries. Fringe Market Traders can drive their cars onto the Precinct during access hours under the supervision of security. Traders must move their vehicles off the Mound Precinct as soon as loading/ unloading is complete. Access for loading out is at 21:00 due to performance times.
  • The traders’ storage unit will be opened at 10:00 and locked at 21:00 sharp.
  • All products will be open to inspection by Trading Standards Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council.
  • The designer makershould be present for the majority of trading hours to sell the goods in person.
  • Traders with corner stalls may open their tent side to expose products.
  • Access to electricity is not provided.
  • All traders must wear their Fringe passesduring operating hours. Passes are non-transferable.
  • Traders will only sell goods in the Fringe High Street Market as specified in the original application; any other goods will be removed from the stall.
  • Traders must provide their own black bin bags and dispose of all their refuse in the allotted City of Edinburgh Council trade waste bins. Pitches and their surrounding areas must be left clean and clear of waste at the close of business each day.
  • The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society can take no responsibility for damage to or loss of traders’ property or goods on either market site or in the storage provided.
  • No refunds will be given should traders decide to pull out of the contract before or during the festival.
  • The Fringe cannot take responsibility for any days lost in trading due to natural disasters i.e. weather or emergency closures implemented by the Fringe, the Police or any other official bodies.
  • Traders must comply with safety plans as agreed with The City of Edinburgh Council by following instructions from senior Fringe Festival staff in the advent of adverse weather conditions.
  • Unfortunately parking cannot be provided.
  • By applying traders are agreeing to open their stalls every day and to take advantage of the full trading ours licensed. Those failing to trade for the full hours, risk losing their stall allocation.
  • Stalls supplied will be 2.2m x 2.2m pop up marquees, open at the front and closed on all other sides.
  • Traders will also be supplied with a 6 ft trestle table.
  • Subletting is not permitted. Anyone who is suspected of doing so will lose their stall.
  • Selected traders must returnsigned contracts, confirming participation by Monday 11th June. Payment, in full must be made by Friday 18th May.Failure to meet these deadlines will result in the re-allocation of your stall.
  • Failure to comply with any of the above will result in the removal of permission to trade by the holder of the Market Operator’s Licence (the Edinburgh Festival Fringe).

Your products should comply with Trading Standards, some of which are below. For a full list, please visit

  • A price should be given in writing for all goods being sold
  • Traders selling items of Gold, Silver or Platinum must display a ‘Hallmarking Act’ notice
  • Traders selling items of clothing should ensure that each item is marked with a ‘fibre content’
  • Traders who trade as something other than their own name should display a notice stating ownership of the company and give and address at which documents can be served on the business
  • Traders may not trade out with their allotted stall space.
  • PA systems are not permitted on the High Street. Whistles may not be used. Fringe and Council staff will monitor noise levels and traders will comply with all noise abatement requests.
  • Stall construction will be as specified by the Fringe. No wires, ropes or cables will cross public areas at floor level and all such cable must be out with the reach of the public. There must be no structures added on to the stall as agreed with Public Safety. Any structures erected that don’t apply with safety legislation will be removed.

How To Apply

If you are interested in applying to trade as part of the Fringe Arts and Crafts Markets please complete the Traders Application Form, and email it to .

To assist us with the selection process you must explain in full how you make your products and include at least 6 good photographs of the products you intend to sell. Traders are not permitted to sell products that weren’t identified at selection stage. You may also send product samples but these must be accompanied by a paper copy of your completed application form.

Important Dates

Monday 30th April / Date by which all applications and samples should reach the Fringe Office.
1st to 18th May / Date by which traders will be selected, stalls allocated and payments taken.
Friday 18th May / Date by which all applicants will be notified as to whether they have been successful. Decisions are final and non-negotiable.
Thursday 31st May / Date by which traders must collect all samples from the Fringe Office.
Monday 11th June / Date by which selected traders must return signed contracts, confirming their participation.

Festival Fringe Society, 180 High Street, Edinburgh. EH1 1QS

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