You can now tip Edinburgh Fringe street performers with your contactless card

Street performers at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will no longer have to rely on audience members to carry cash (Photo: Shutterstock)

Artists entertaining at specific locations along the city's Royal Mile will be equipped with special card readers to take fixed-amount payments during the 25 day-long arts and comedy festival.

The move comes after feedback which noted a drop in the number of people carrying cash.

The world's first contactless festival

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has partnered with fintech company iZettle to become the world's first contactless 'tap-to-tip' festival, according to organisers.

Six tap-to-tip stations will be set up in the Royal Mile street events arena for the 2018 Fringe.

It has been planned to extend the partnership over the coming years to cater for more of the festival's street performers.

Moving with the times

"Until now I've relied on cash contributions from audiences and I have definitely noticed a dip as the number of people carrying cash has decreased," said Scott Hutchison, who performs on Edinburgh's streets as Super Scott.

"The introduction of iZettle Readers at the Fringe is really exciting, futureproofing street performance and offering audiences an additional method of payment when showing their appreciation."

"Whilst cash contributions have worked for street entertainers for hundreds of years, we need to respond to the changing circumstances, which are affecting street performers all over the world," added Andy Meldrum, street events manager at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

"Our partnership with iZettle is set to ensure our performers continue to get the support they deserve."