Reading VS Norwich

Reading and Norwich are similarly sized business centres with 23,787 and 22,260 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

Reading
Active23,787
Total27,873
2020s Growth51.4%
Oldest Co.1865
Norwich
Active22,260
Total29,884
2020s Growth51.3%
Oldest Co.1888

Head-to-Head

Active Companies
23,787
22,260
Total Registered
27,873
29,884
Dissolved Companies
1,704
2,115
2020s Growth Rate
514%
513%
ReadingNorwich

Company Formation by Decade

Reading
Pre-1990
702
1990s
953
2000s
2,718
2010s
8,792
2020s
14,373
Norwich
Pre-1990
916
1990s
868
2000s
3,262
2010s
10,653
2020s
13,914

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city has more registered companies, Reading or Norwich?

Reading has 23,787 active companies compared to 22,260 in Norwich — 1,527 more.

Which is growing faster, Reading or Norwich?

Reading has a higher 2020s company formation rate (51.4%) compared to Norwich (51.3%).

What industries do Reading and Norwich 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. Reading is uniquely strong in Business and domestic software development and Information technology consultancy activities, while Norwich stands out in Development of building projects and Dormant Company.