From the archives: in December 2000, the Evening Standard featured an article about the company which maintains Big Ben, Thwaites & Reed, being listed on BusinessesForSale.com. It was written by David Nicholson, with images by Denis Lee, and can be found on Newspapers.com.
Back in December 2000, the Evening Standard reported on one of the more unusual businesses ever advertised on BusinessesForSale.com: Thwaites & Reed, the historic clockmaking firm responsible for maintaining Big Ben.
Founded in the 18th century, Thwaites & Reed had long been associated with some of Britain’s most recognisable public clocks, including those within the Houses of Parliament. At the time of the article, owner Melvin Lee was preparing for retirement and exploring a sale of the business through BusinessesForSale.com – a notable example of a centuries-old craftsmanship business embracing the early days of online commerce.
The feature explored the contrast between a traditional business and the rapidly emerging digital marketplace. Alongside its work servicing Big Ben, the company was involved in restoration projects, bespoke clockmaking, and specialist contracts for institutions including government buildings, schools, and military sites.
The article also highlighted the remarkable precision and upkeep required to maintain Big Ben, including regular inspections and manual adjustments to keep the famous clock accurate. Thwaites & Reed’s role in preserving this piece of British heritage helped cement the company’s reputation as one of the world’s best-known clock specialists.
For BusinessesForSale.com, the story marked an early moment in the growth of online business marketplaces – demonstrating how even highly traditional and historic firms were beginning to use the internet to reach potential buyers around the world.