History and Heritage
We are proud of our heritage and the good work that we have done throughout our history, the number of people we have helped and the children we have educated and the supported since we were founded. Over 200 years of sound investments and management ensures we are in a strong and stable position to ensure we are still helping people and educating children for another 200 years, or more.
Over 230 years of heritage
The charity was founded in 1793 by a group of 10 members of the licensed victualling trade who decided to form a friendly institution called the Society of Licensed Victuallers. They first met in Fleet Street (pictured), London, to discuss their plans for the formation of the charity, which was set up to provide support and education to people working in the licensed trade. The following year, the group published the first issue of The Morning Advertiser, a daily newspaper written to popularise the Society of Licensed Victuallers. While it contained news about pubs, their landlords and breweries, it also featured a thorough horse racing guide that became popular among pub patrons.
The LTC sold the title to the long-established media company William Reed in the year 2000 and still holds a 25% share to this day. Although no longer available in paper format, The Morning Advertiser continues to be read by more than 100,000 people in the UK licensed sector every month via its website, www.morningadvertiser.co.uk. The publication also hosts several market-leading events every year, including The Publican Awards.
Educating children since 1803
In 1803 the Charity opened its first school, now named LVS Ascot, to benefit the children of parents in the licensed trade. The school was granted the Royal Charter and the reigning monarch, King William IV became Royal Patron of the school in 1836. The first school opened in Kennington, then moved to Slough in the mid 1900’s before moving again in the late 1900’s to its current site in Ascot. Patronage has passed to succeeding monarchs since that day and we are proud to have HM King Charles III as Royal Patron of our schools.
Through the 1800’s and early 1900’s, only young people whose parents worked in the trade would be accepted at the school. Today places are extended to students from all walks of life, whatever their parents’ occupation and the Charity continues to offer discounted places, bursaries and scholarships to licensed trade children.
A forward thinking and pioneering charity
Always forward thinking the Charity ensured the school had indoor toilets and a little later a swimming pool, for London at that time, this was quite remarkable. In 1886, over 50 years before the state, the Charity raised the school leaving age to 15.
In 2009 we opened our first school for children with a diagnosis of autism, LVS Hassocks and in 2014 our second LVS Oxford. The surplus generated by our three schools helps to fund the charitable work that we do.
Supporting the licensed trade community
In 1827 The Licensed Victualler’s Asylum, a hospital and respite centre for publicans was built and opened in Peckham. Built on six acres of land off Old Kent Road, it was a retreat for distressed members of the trade whose age and illness prevented them from earning a living.
In 1962 the Licensed Trade Convalescent Homes was founded and opened its first home, Croft House in Margate Kent in 1965. In 1958 Denham Garden Village was built and provided alternative accommodation for retired licensees.
In 2001 Anchor Trust (now Anchor Hanover Group) took ownership of Denham Garden Village after an agreement was reached for major redevelopment and enlargement. The Charity retains priority referral for licensed trade people to this day.
In 2004 Licensed Victuallers’ National Homes and Society of Licensed Victuallers’ merged to become the Licensed Trade Charity.
Proud To Be LTC!
Today we continue to be proud to serve the licensed trade community offering emotional, practical and financial wellbeing resources that help thousands of people and their families to navigate the challenges they face.
Remember, you can always reach out to us via our helpline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Give us a call on 0808 801 0550, and we’ll do our best to assist you.