Reading and Bradford are similarly sized business centres with 23,709 and 21,931 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.
Reading has 23,709 active companies compared to 21,931 in Bradford — 1,778 more.
Bradford has a higher 2020s company formation rate (67.3%) compared to Reading (51.3%).
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. Reading is uniquely strong in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Business and domestic software development, while Bradford stands out in Freight transport by road and Other human health activities.