A new study has revealed the oldest company in Glasgow which is still in operation.
Finance website Business Financing looked at 58 cities across the UK to uncover the longest-running, continually operating businesses in the country - businesses that started with a bold vision centuries ago and are still making it work today.
To do so, they used sources such as Companies' House, city location guides, local authorities, historical societies and chambers of commerce.
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They found that the UK’s oldest company is Aberdeen Harbour Board in Aberdeen, Scotland, founded in 1136, a full 378 years before the oldest company in England still in operation, Trinity House, was founded in London back in 1514.
'Media’ companies such as printers, publishers, newspapers, and booksellers dominated early on and are still going today, despite unimaginable developments in tech and media culture, while manufacturers and retailers have also survived across the centuries.
And that brings us to Glasgow's oldest operating company, which the study found was jewellers' Laings of Glasgow.
Established in 1840, the prestigious family-run jeweller is one of the largest independent jewellery businesses in the country, operating six stores across the UK.
Brothers James and William Laing established the family wholesale and manufacturing business in the heart of Glasgow’s vibrant Merchant City and from there they expanded into retail, soon becoming recognised as an iconic brand in the jewellery industry.
Now in the hands of the sixth generation of the Laing family, Executive Chairman, Stuart Laing acts as a guiding hand for his daughter, Wendy Laing, Marketing Director and her husband, Joe Walsh, CEO. Richard Laing also sits on the board of directors.
Back in 2018, Stuart Laing was awarded an OBE in the Queens Honours List for his services to the UK jewellery industry.
