Edinburgh Corstorphine Fair organisers launch national petition to Holyrood over red tape
‘Volunteer-run fairs and gala days are the heartbeat of communities across Scotland’ - Ewan Irvine
Community fair organisers are appealing to the Scottish Parliament for help in their battle against red tape which they claim threatens their events with extinction.
The team behind Edinburgh's Corstorphine Fair has organised a petition to Holyrood, urging MSPs to call for a Scottish Government review of what they say are the increasing licensing, regulatory and financial burdens placed on volunteer-run community fairs and gala days across Scotland.
Ewan Irvine, chair of the Corstorphine Fair committee, said this year's event had been "successful but challenging".
He said: "Like many similar events across Scotland, we faced significant last-minute licensing and administrative difficulties in 2026, despite extensive early engagement with authorities.”
Mr Irvine says the Corstorphine Fair - which has been running for 40 years - is not alone in facing such problems. “Many of these challenges were experienced not just in Edinburgh but by gala organisers across Scotland.”
And he is now helping to establish a broader network of gala organisers to give volunteer events a stronger collective voice.
He said: “Volunteer-run fairs and gala days are the heartbeat of communities across Scotland. They bring together schools, churches, charities, youth groups, and residents in celebration of local life.
“Yet year after year, organisers face increasing bureaucracy, inconsistent licensing decisions, late documentation, and rising costs that threaten the future of these much-loved events.”
His committee has prepared a detailed post-event review of its own problems this year, highlighting issues with Public Entertainment Licences, Market Operator Licences and occupation agreements.
He said that the day before the fair, volunteers found themselves dealing with licensing issues, payment requests and legal documents whilst physically setting up the event.
And he has warned that some future Christmas and community events may need to be scaled back unless the issues are dealt with.
The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the increasing burdens placed on volunteer-run community fairs and gala days across Scotland; provide clear national guidance on licensing requirements for community events; and introduce realistic timescales for decisions and documentation.
It also calls for a reduction in unnecessary duplication and improved coordination across local authorities, and recognition of the unique contribution of volunteer-led events in national policy.
Mr Irvine said: “We fully support public safety and proper regulation. However, the current system often lacks proportionality for non-commercial, community-benefit events run by volunteers.
“Without change, many traditional fairs and galas risk disappearing, to the detriment of communities right across Scotland.”
He urged individuals, community groups, and elected representatives across Scotland to support this campaign and help protect local galas and fairs. The petition is now live and open for signatures.