Liverpool and Reading are similarly sized business centres with 43,636 and 23,946 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 Buying and selling of own real estate and Management consultancy activities other than financial management.
Liverpool has 43,636 active companies compared to 23,946 in Reading — 19,690 more.
Liverpool has a higher 2020s company formation rate (60.2%) compared to Reading (50.8%).
Both cities share these top industries: 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, Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet. Liverpool is uniquely strong in Development of building projects and Hairdressing and other beauty treatment, while Reading stands out in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Business and domestic software development.