Great Central Gas Consumers Company

The Great Central Gas Consumers Company was founded in 1849. Consumers Gas Companies were usually set up in consequence of dissatisfaction with the existing suppliers, in this case the City of London Gas Light and Coke Company and the Chartered Gas Light and Coke Company, which were both charging high amounts for their gas. According to the Act of Parliament which established the Company, it was obliged to sell gas at 4 shillings per 1000 cubic feet, and to take profits of 10 percent maximum. Any profit above 10 percent was to be put towards the reduction of prices. The Company had a gas works at Bow Common. In 1870 it was taken over by the Chartered Gas Light and Coke Company.