Global InformationSouth Metropolitan Gas Company information
| Industry | energy supply  |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1829 |
| Defunct | 1 May 1949 |
| Successor | South Eastern Gas Board, British Gas |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Key people | George Livesey, Chairman |
| Products | Gas |
The South Metropolitan Gas Company was a British gas company founded in 1829.
It selected a site on the eastern side of the Old Kent Road, adjacent to the Grand Surrey Canal for its works, which were completed in 1833. Offices for the company were added in 1834.[1]
Thomas Livesey was appointed chief officer of the company in 1839.[1]
| South Metropolitan Gas Light and Coke Company Act 1842 | |
|---|---|
| Act of Parliament | |
 Parliament of the United Kingdom | |
| Long title | An Act for incorporating the South Metropolitan Gas Light and Coke Company, and for more effectually lighting with Gas certain Places within the Borough of Southwark, and other Parishes and places in the Counties of Surrey and Kent. |
| Citation | 5 & 6 Vict. c. lxxix |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 18 June 1842 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
The company was incorporated by an act of Parliament in 1842, the South Metropolitan Gas Light and Coke Company Act 1842 (5 & 6 Vict. c. lxxix).[1]
Thomas's son, George Livesey, joined the company in 1848, as his father's assistance, becoming general manager in 1857 and chief engineer in 1862. In 1871, following the death of Thomas Livesey, George became company secretary, a position he held until 1885 when he became chairman.[1]
In 1880, the South Metropolitan Gas Company acquired the Phoenix Gas Light and Coke Company, bringing additional gasworks in Rotherhithe Street, Vauxhall, Bankside, and Thames Street in Greenwich.[1]
In 1885, the company acquired two Woolwich gas companies, the Equitable Gas Company and the Consumers Gas Company.[1]
The company was nationalised by the Gas Act 1948 in 1949, and became part of the Metropolitan Division of the South Eastern Gas Board.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f g "South Metropolitan Gas Company". National Archives.