Cambridge and Preston are similarly sized business centres with 21,091 and 19,344 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.
Cambridge has 21,091 active companies compared to 19,344 in Preston — 1,747 more.
Preston has a higher 2020s company formation rate (54.9%) compared to Cambridge (52.2%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Dormant Company, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c.. Cambridge is uniquely strong in Business and domestic software development and Information technology consultancy activities, while Preston stands out in Development of building projects and Other human health activities.