Still going strong? Investors Chronicle
The better-known companies appearing in our list are there because they acquired long-established businesses. Not that this is a problem; after all, the Investors Chronicle's anniversary is only down to the fact that it merged with a publication that had been running longer than it had. Others are there in their own right and have been trading since they were originally founded and the grandaddy of them all is Toye & co, which was founded in 1685. The Toye family were Huguenots who managed to sail into the Thames disguised as cattle dealers. They set up their traditional family business of weaving, lace-making, embroidery and gold and silver wire making in Spitalfields.
We have created an Old Timers Index comprising of 50 constituents all founded between the years 1685 to 1859. It is heavily weighted towards the financial sector, but restaurants and pubs, retailing and publishing also make a strong contribution. Within the financial sector there are five banks, including Standard Chartered. There are also five insurance companies, three asset managers and the London Stock Exchange, which was founded in 1698.
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Money High StreetWeddings hit by the recessionMoney High StreetManaging director of LV= home and travel insurance, John O'Roarke, said 'People planning on attending or holding their own wedding in the UK or overseas, and more »
