User:Laura at British Gas/sandbox

British Gas is an energy and home services provider in the United Kingdom. It is a trading name of British Gas Services Limited and British Gas New Heating Limited and is a subsidiary of Centrica. With over 20 million customers in the UK, British Gas is a member of the Big Six

1812 to 1948
The Gas Light and Coke Company was the first public utility company in the world. It was founded by Frederick Albert Winsor and incorporated by Royal Charter on 30 April 1812 under the seal of King George III.

It continued to thrive for the next 136 years, expanding into domestic services whilst absorbing many smaller companies including the Aldgate Gas Light and Coke Company (1819), the City of London Gas Light and Coke Company (1870), the Equitable Gas Light Company (1871), the Great Central Gas Consumer's Company (1870), Victoria Docks Gas Company (1871), Western Gas Light Company (1873), Imperial Gas Light and Coke Company (1876), Independent Gas Light and Coke Company (1876), the London Gas Light Company (1883), Richmond Gas Company (1925), Brentford Gas Company (1926), Pinner Gas Company (1930) and Southend-on-Sea and District Gas Company (1932).

On 1st May 1949 the GLCC became the North Thames Gas Board, one of Britain's twelve regional Gas Boards after the passing of The Gas Act 1948 by Clement Attlee's post-war Labour government.

1948 to 1973
In the early 1900s the gas market in the United Kingdom was mainly run by county councils and small private firms. At this time the use of an inflammable gas (often known as "Town Gas") piped to houses as a fuel was still being marketed to consumers, by such means as the National Gas Congress and Exhibition (1913). The gas used in the 19th and early 20th centuries was Coal gas but in the period 1967-1977 British domestic coal gas supplies were replaced by Natural gas.

In 1948 Clement Attlee's Labour government reshaped the gas industry, bringing in The Gas Act 1948. The act nationalised the UK gas industry and 1062 privately owned and municipal gas companies were merged into twelve Area Gas Boards each a separate body with its own management structure. Each Area Board was divided into geographical groups or divisions which were often further divided into smaller districts. These boards simply became known as the "Gas Board", a term people still use when referring to British Gas.