Leicester and Reading are similarly sized business centres with 41,704 and 23,221 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.
Leicester has 41,704 active companies compared to 23,221 in Reading — 18,483 more.
Leicester has a higher 2020s company formation rate (58.9%) compared to Reading (51.5%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Information technology consultancy activities, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c.. Leicester is uniquely strong in Development of building projects and Freight transport by road, while Reading stands out in Business and domestic software development and Other information technology service activities.