Venues eyeing record sales … but fear being shot down in flames

There was huge relief after a major threat to Fringe-goers' travel plans was averted this week, when British airport operator BAA offered ground staff a pay deal that saw the Unite union call off strike plans.

But venue bosses will be cautiously watching the coming days. It was at this time last year that huge early and advance sales in the 2009 festival began to tail off, with what was at some venues a dismal last weekend. However, Charlie Wood, the co-director of the Underbelly venue and a Fringe board member, predicted: "We are going to smash our own record and I'm pretty sure that's much the same across the whole Fringe.

Meanwhile, William Burdett Coutts, the Assembly director, said: "Our path is tracking as it should. We are at 200,000 tickets; we are halfway through and expect to sell another 300,000, which would take us to a good festival."

The venue sold 256,000 tickets last year, but has added a new Princes Street Gardens venue, while the big Ballroom space in the Assembly Rooms has reopened.

"Last year it somewhat tailed off, and I think a lot of people didn't come up," said Mr Burdett Coutts. "But normally you get a lot of visitors. I am mightily relieved that the BAA strike is not going ahead and one hopes for a good influx in the last week."

The story was not the same all across the Fringe yesterday, with the mid-way point of the festival a tense time for performers, as struggling shows become desperate for reviews and customers.

Zoo venues spokesman Matt Beer said: "Ticket sales have been a bit strange. From what I've heard from other venues, everyone is a little bit down on where they would like to be."

At the Zoo Southside, a run of shows through the day from Bound, to Cool Mr Robeson, Zombie Apocalypse and Dealer's Choice, were selling out the cheaper, smaller 65-seat venue. But some shows in the 220-seat main theatre, with tickets a fraction pricier at 10-12, were faring less well.

"It's my fifth Fringe and it's hardest in terms of selling tickets," said Valerie Potter, a press adviser for four shows, including Red Cello Electrified."I don't think people are risking their money on something experimental or something they are not sure they like."

Mr Woods said there were more sell-out shows in the venue's Udderbelly tent than ever, with Brazil, Brazil, The Magnets, Flawless and The Stick Man routinely reaching capacity crowds.

The venue has not released figures, but is confident of strong sales, with anecdotal stories of trains from London packed with punters heading north, he said.