Reading and Belfast are similarly sized business centres with 23,304 and 21,880 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 Business and domestic software development.
Reading has 23,304 active companies compared to 21,880 in Belfast — 1,424 more.
Belfast has a higher 2020s company formation rate (51.7%) compared to Reading (51.4%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Business and domestic software development, Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate. Reading is uniquely strong in Information technology consultancy activities and Other business support service activities n.e.c., while Belfast stands out in Development of building projects and Dormant Company.