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LIT CRIT
We. as professional writers in Scotland. wish to express serious concern about the seemingly imminent takeover of the booksellers Ottakar's by Waterstonc-‘s. which is in turn owned by the HIvIV Group.
It is not necessarily that we favour a particular corporate chain over another. but instead worry about the monopoly over booksellrng which a single company will be able to enjoy. Waterstone's has argued that its total market share will be 23.5“; but this includes internet retailing. as well as airports. supermarkets and newsagents. which tend to stock only large quantities of bestselling titles. Waterstone's' actual control of specialist bookselling will be a staggering 135:5:
With that kind of dominance over the market. Waterstone's can force publishers into huge trade discounts. ‘NITICII smaller publishers can iIl afford as it is. and with so much at stake. publisher's may well take fewer risks on more challenging material and produce yet more celebrity biographies and TV tie-ins. \‘i/atm'stone‘s’ central ordering system will further ensure that more and more bookshoi 5; stock the same. dis/rndling range of (generally best sellingi titles. For the majority of shoppers it will simply be a matter of Waterstone's - and them alone
deciding what they read. There will be even more subsequent pressure placed on writers to del:ver (and writer conunercrally or not at all. This takeover. then. ‘.'/|II not only limit cnorce for readers. but could haze a highly detrimental effect on Scotland’s vrbrant literary culture.
Julie Bertagna, Alan Bissett, Nick Brooks, Ron
What you Opening Night, Gig! Lothian Road, Edinburgh, Fri 7 Oct
Lydia
2 THE LIST 1%; ()(:t r-; (or l’fi‘f):')
Property developer
It works really well as a venue. although it’ll take a lot to get over the stigma of being the old Revolution.
The List,
Butlin, Regi Claire, Sophie Cooke, Linda Cracknell, Julia Donaldson, Anne Donovan, Margaret Elphinstone, Matthew Fitt, Cathy Forde, Janice Galloway, Magi Gibson, Keith Gray, Rodge Glass, Jan Henderson, Laura Hird, AL Kennedy, Elizabeth Laird, Gerry Loose, Kevin MacNeil, Catherine MacPhail, Laura Marney, Richard Mason, Alison Miller, Nicola Morgan, Ewan Morrison, Liz Niven, Colette Paul, Stephen Potts, Tom Pow, Alison Prince, Frank Rodgers, Suhayl Saadi, Ali Smith, Zoe Strachan, Aline Templeton, Valerie Thornton, Louise Welsh.
NIP AND TUCK
Pete Docherty. put away your sweaty fat boy nips! Your music doesn't Justify your excessive media coverage. Claud
Leith
ROBOTICKETS
After spending over 1:”) minutes on the phone to a cinema helpline this week. I neither felt helped nor in the mood for the cinema. Why can't we talk to actual human berngs rather than being shunted about from one system to another? In the end I was so thrilled to hear a person's voice that the woman on the other line thought I was havrng some sort of fit. Damn you. sinarmy info lines; bring human contact back! Gemma Parkinson
By email
RAVE ON
I loved Neil Cooper's agenda piece in the last issue. Quite right too . . .
Laura Cameron Lewis
By email
14 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TE
or The List at the CCA
350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD or email editor@list.co.uk
JOHN HIGGINS
Very sad news reached us this week that John Higgins had been drowned in a tragic accident while swimming in the Red Sea. John joined the staff of The List in 1989 and quickly came to play a leading role in the life of the magazine. Always full of engery and laughter, it was John who made sure no opportunity for a celebration was missed. Among many other innovations and escapades, he took charge of The List Festival party and made it into the hottest ticket in town. John went on to work
EDINBURGH: THE NEW MILTON KEYNES? While Edinburgh may pride Itself on being a festival city with a Wide range of cultural activities to offer the Visitor. its nightlife is in grave danger of becoming a sterile. characterless sea of identikit chain pubs and mainstream super-clubs if the local authority does not stand up for venues such as Studio 24 and the Venue against the big-money housing developers. Both these clubs. as the police \.‘V|II admit. are frequented largely by
up everywhere.
‘Crawford Baptie’ Edinl )urgh
peaceful followers of underground rnusrc scenes who create far less of the said disruption and noise that the developers and residents seem concerned about than the clientele of the alcohol~focused multiplex venues which seem to be popping
Furthermore. the local authority must remember that the diversity and richness of Edinl'uirgh's cultural entertainment is a primary reason for attracting such money into the crty. If this is not valued as such then Edinburgh could easily turn into Milton Keynes after dusk. Just as football clubs target the corporate sector. pricing out the hardcore fans who make it an attractive occasion in the first place. Edinburgh must be wary not to neglect its underground music scenes in bending over backwards for new money. as it runs the risk of marginalising what is a key factor in the city's attraction.
THE LETTER OF THE ISSUE WILL RECEIVE TWO BOTTLES OF
THE TAWNY
Distinctively Grahams. Definitiver ‘The Tawriy'
for the Council, the Fringe and the Festival before moving to Antibes. Wherever he was, John made things happen and gathered round him a wide circle of friends, helping us all enjoy the best that life has to offer. We send our deep sympathy to his family.
GRAHAM'S
W1
Olaf
Band manager
I saw Killing Joke play the scariest gig ever here, then they turned it into a horrible schemie disco. It's good to have it back.
Jenny
Art student
There’s a lot of potential. I imagine it'd be great it it was full. Loved the decor too. but that's because I found it funny being in Revolution.
GLASGOW AND EDINBURGH
EVENTS GUIDE
CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & General Editor Robin Hodge
EDITORIAL
Editor Nick Barley
Deputy Editor Brian Donaldson Assistant Editors
Mark Robertson. Paul Dale Subeditor Ashley Davres Research Manager Julie Graham
Research Henry Northmore (Film. Rock 8 Jazz) Ruth Hedges (Art) Rachael Street (Theatre. Dance. Comedy 8 Sport). Morag Bruce (Around Town. Classical. Folk 8 Kids)
SALES & MARKETING Advertising Sales Manager Rachel Shields
Senior Media Sales Executives
Carol Ferguson
Brigid Kennedy
Richie Meldrum
Media Sales Support Sharon Stephen Promotions Manager Sheri Frrers Promotions Assistant Gemma Beard Circulation Manager Neil Earnsha'ri Circulation Executive Keith Benzre
Special Projects Amanda Mungall
PRODUCTION Art Director
Krista Robertson Production Manager Simon Armin Designer lucy Reeves Production Assistant Russell Steedman
ADMINISTRATION Accounts Manager Georgette Rem-rick Accounts Assistant Manager Donna Taylor
Reception
Tracey Fisher
Edinburgh Office Manager Katie Scott
Glasgow Office Manager Katharine Haslett
SECTION EDITORS Around Town Morag Bruce Books Brian Donaldson Clubs Henry Northmore (With Sandra Marron) Comedy Brian Donaldson Comics Paul Dale
Dance Kelly Apter
Eat 8 Drink Barry Shelby Film Paul Dale
Gay Ronin Iee
Kids Kelly Apter
Music Mark Robertson
IWIIII Norman Chalmers Carol Main. Kenny '.tatliies(iri Trona Shepherd)
News Allan Radcliffe
Play Henry Northmore
IWIIII Iain Davrdsoni
Shop Katy McAulay Television Brian DonaldsOn Theatre Steve Cramer Travel Rachael Street Visual Art Alemnder Kennedy