Matthew Clark and Sons , wine and spirit brokers

In 1802 Matthew Clark began work for a firm of British merchants in Rotterdam. In 1809 another firm, Christopher Idle and Company, sent him to the Dutch island of Walcheren to investigate general trading prospects. Matthew Clark set up his own wine and spirit broking business in 1810. He took E.H. Keeling into partnership with him in 1825, and the business became known as Matthew Clark and Keeling. The firm was an important client of Johannes de Kuyper and Zoon bv of Rotterdam. In 1833 the company was appointed sole London agents of Martell and Company.

E.H. Keeling retired in 1844 and the company was known as Matthew Clark and Son, becoming Matthew Clark and Sons in around 1847. Matthew Clark retired in 1849 and his sons, Gordon Wyatt Clark and Matthew Edward Clark took over the business as sworn brokers and auctioneers. In 1873 the brokering and auctioneering side of the business was given up. They traded many brands of port, sherry, madeira, tarragona, bordeaux and Rhone wines, as well as cognac and gin, and exported to Australia and New Zealand.

In 1920 the business became a limited company. In 1963 the name was changed to Matthew Clark and Sons (Holdings) Limited. It was taken over in 1998.

The company was based at 68 Great Tower Street (1812-21), 72 Great Tower Street (1822-82), 6-7 Great Tower Street (1882-1925), 14 Trinity Square (1925-56) and Walbrook House, 23-29 Walbrook (1956-1972), Moreland Street, Islington (1972-1998).