Savvy homeless making cash from Brighton Fringe programmes (From The Argus)
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Savvy homeless making cash from Brighton Fringe programmes
10:40am Friday 25th May 2012 in News
Savvy rough-sleepers have been selling the free Brighton Fringe programme after organisers ran out of them in only the second week.
The entrepreneurial homeless people were seen flogging the 84-page brochure for £2 a time in New Road after shops and cafes got through the 100,000 print run.
Fringe director Julian Caddy praised them for their resourcefulness and smart thinking.
He said: “I was back in London the other night and actually picked up 150 or so brochures from one of the venues stocking them.
“I nearly broke my back but we do now have a very limited second run under lock and key.”
Last week with the brochures all gone, Fringe staff did their best to keep visitors abreast of show times and venues at their information points in New Road.
It was only when a female visitor informed them that she had been offered a programme from a homeless man for £2 that they realised they were getting additional help.
Fringe organiser Kata Gyöngyösi added: “It's quite funny really. I guess it shows how popular they have been.
“We had to ask people to try and hold them back but they were still all gone by the end of the second week.
“It would be great if anyone who has finished with their programme could hand it to us at either our box office or info points in New Road.”
A limited number of brochures will be available from the Fringe's North Street box office.
Comments(9)
Goldenwight
says...
12:11pm Fri 25 May 12
One (possibly apocryphal) instance of a programme being 'offered' for sale, but not purchased.
No evidence that a single programme was actually sold.
No evidence of wide scale trading or attempts at same.
Or have those wonderful 'Journalists' at the Argus had a bit of their story edited out?
cancelaccount
says...
12:35pm Fri 25 May 12
Am I to belive that the festival was condoning this? that is ripping off the general public attending the Festival/fringe?
gregsick
says...
1:04pm Fri 25 May 12
PorkBoat
says...
1:27pm Fri 25 May 12
cancelaccount wrote:Have a look at Goldenwight's post...
these sellers should be arrested and charged under the trade description act, they are not licenced vendors for the 'festival'and indeed selling a product/item that is gratis for financial gain is illegal.
Am I to belive that the festival was condoning this? that is ripping off the general public attending the Festival/fringe?
Tory Twit
says...
8:43am Sat 26 May 12
If one of many such initiatives eventually works out really well then such people may need expert advice to legally avoid paying any tax.
Sussex jim
says...
5:42pm Wed 30 May 12
Reflect on your post
says...
8:57am Sat 2 Jun 12
Old Ale Man
says...
11:20am Mon 4 Jun 12
cancelaccount wrote:People are getting ripped of all the time by the robbing green councillors, why tear your hair out over 2 more quid you tight person and I bet your loaded.
these sellers should be arrested and charged under the trade description act, they are not licenced vendors for the 'festival'and indeed selling a product/item that is gratis for financial gain is illegal. Am I to belive that the festival was condoning this? that is ripping off the general public attending the Festival/fringe?
Now cancelyourselfout.
GIVE UP says...
11:28am Fri 25 May 12