A new association of 27 Edinburgh Fringe venues has been formed in a bid to “ensure the future of the Fringe ecosystem”.
The membership of the newly-formed Fringe Alliance includes most of the festival's venue producers who account for around 85% of Fringe ticket sales.
Among those who have signed up are high-profile venues/producers Assembly, Pleasance, Underbelly, Gilded Balloon and Summerhall.
A statement from the Alliance said it had been founded due to the “external economic and political challenges" facing the Fringe.
In recent years the Fringe has attracted increasing criticism over the rising cost of participation and accommodation, and how this has made it less accessible to new artists without financial backing.
The Alliance statement continued: “Formed to represent those who make the fringe happen, support the fringe community, and safeguard the future of the fringe, Fringe Alliance marks an important step forward in ensuring the sustainability and growth of the festival.
“By fostering collaboration, advocating for those who take risks to make and present work at the fringe, and promoting best practice, the alliance is poised to create a positive and enduring impact on the cultural landscape of Edinburgh and beyond.”