Joining our Livery Company

We are different from many Modern Companies in that membership of our Company is not restricted to our own trade. We welcome men and women, smokers and non-smokers, who have a particular interest in the tobacco industry or the Livery movement as a whole. [Read more]

Becoming a Freeman or Liveryman

Members of our Company serve either as Freemen or as Liverymen.

• Admission to the Freedom of our Company

Joining our Company can be done in three different ways, the most common being redemption.

Redemption. Candidates, aged over 21, must be proposed and seconded by Liverymen of the Company of at least two years’ standing (this rule may be waived in certain circumstances). [Read more].

Patrimony. Sons and daughters of a Freeman of the Company, born after their admission, are permitted to join the Company when they reach the age of 21 years old.

Servitude. Members may be granted admission having served an apprenticeship according to the custom of the City of London. However, this method of membership is no longer used by our Company.)

• Admission to the Livery

Once admitted to the Freedom of the Company, candidates can apply to become a Freeman of the City of London. Should this be granted, candidates may then take up the Livery of the Company in a ‘clothing ceremony’ held before our court.

Any Freeman taking up the Livery must pay a one-off membership fee (‘fine’). [Read more]

Further details and application forms are available through the Clerk.