The List (magazine)

The List is a digital guide to arts and entertainment in the United Kingdom.

The company's activities include content syndication and running a network of websites carrying listings and editorial, covering film, eating and drinking, music, theatre, visual art, dance, kids and family, clubs and the Edinburgh Festivals. Originally launched in 1985 as a fortnightly arts and entertainment magazine covering Edinburgh and Glasgow, The List magazine switched in 2014 to publishing every two months throughout the year, and weekly during the Edinburgh Festivals in August.

History
The List was founded as an independent limited company in October 1985 by Robin Hodge (publisher) and Nigel Billen (founding editor). The first editors were Nigel Billen and Sarah Hemming.

In 2007 the company launched its listings website.

In June 2016, The Sunday Times Scotland launched a fortnightly events guide pullout section, produced in collaboration with The List.

Acquisition by Assembly
In 2022, The List brand was transferred to a new company, List Publishing Ltd, a subsidiary of Assembly Wings Ltd - Assembly Festival's holding company - co-owned by William Burdett-Coutts and Director of the Free Speech Union, Luke Johnson. Burdett-Coutts serves as a director of List Publishing Ltd.

The List moved their offices to Assembly Festival’s Edinburgh headquarters in Assembly Roxy  and are listed as Assembly Festival’s sole media partner.

The original company, The List Ltd, changed name to Phylum Forge Ltd, and trades under the name Data Thistle.

Data Thistle continues the live events data services that formed part of The List’s original business, with List Publishing Ltd purchasing listings from Data Thistle.

Activities
The List was a member of the group of organisations who developed an International Venue and Event Standard (IVES). A now dormant project.

The List was a member of the Creative Industries Federation.

Publications
The List publishes several printed guides throughout the year. These include the Edinburgh Festival Guide, the Eating & Drinking Guide, which includes reviews of over 900 restaurants, cafes and bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the annual Guide to Scotland's Festivals.

The List also publishes a series of guides under the Larder imprint. Since 2009, it has published two national editions and more than twenty regional editions. The Larder provides comprehensive information and articles about producers and sources for local food and drink across Scotland.

Online activity
As the print magazine came under increasing competition in the early 2000s, listings were increasingly moved to its website. The network of sites includes minisites dedicated to Film, Food & Drink and Edinburgh Festivals.

An archive (1985-2020) is available at http://archive.list.co.uk.

Awards

 * Best Online Presence, PPA Scotland Awards 2003, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2015
 * Best Digital Strategy, PPA Scotland Awards 2011
 * Allen Wright Award, Fringe Society 2011, 2012, 2016

Notable regular contributors (past and present)

 * Phil Kay – Stand-up comedian
 * David Keenan – Author, critic and musician
 * Lauren Mayberry – Lead singer of Chvrches
 * Penny Thomson – Director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival