Liverpool VS Reading

Liverpool and Reading are similarly sized business centres with 42,951 and 23,304 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.

Key Figures

Liverpool
Active42,951
Total56,356
2020s Growth60.3%
Oldest Co.1864
Reading
Active23,304
Total28,019
2020s Growth51.4%
Oldest Co.1865

Head-to-Head

Active Companies
42,951
23,304
Total Registered
56,356
28,019
Dissolved Companies
7,210
2,897
2020s Growth Rate
603%
514%
LiverpoolReading

Company Formation by Decade

Liverpool
Pre-1990
1,079
1990s
986
2000s
4,436
2010s
15,618
2020s
33,459
Reading
Pre-1990
707
1990s
944
2000s
2,692
2010s
8,735
2020s
14,606

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city has more registered companies, Liverpool or Reading?

Liverpool has 42,951 active companies compared to 23,304 in Reading — 19,647 more.

Which is growing faster, Liverpool or Reading?

Liverpool has a higher 2020s company formation rate (60.3%) compared to Reading (51.4%).

What industries do Liverpool and Reading have in common?

Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c., Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate. Liverpool is uniquely strong in Development of building projects and Other, while Reading stands out in Business and domestic software development and Information technology consultancy activities.