Other food services

SIC 56290Section I: Accommodation and food service activities|Data verified: 2026-04-17
17,024Active Companies
Section I: Accommodation and food service activities
Division 56
SIC 56290

What is SIC Code 56290?

SIC code 56290 covers other food services activities in the UK, with 17,024 active companies currently registered. This represents a significant segment of UK business activity. It falls under Section I (Accommodation and food service activities) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.

See the full industry analysis on the Other food services industry page.

17,024
Active
86
Dissolved
20,828
Total
6.2y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 82% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 86 of 20,828 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age of 6.2 years suggests a relatively young and dynamic sector, with many businesses having been established in recent years. Growth has been exceptional recently: 62% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 30%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. The leading locations for this sector are LONDON (3,603), BIRMINGHAM (491), MANCHESTER (403), which together account for 26% of active companies.

Formation by Decade
30%
62%
Pre-1990: 135
1990s: 244
2000s: 949
2010s: 5,089
2020s: 10,607

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 56290

What does SIC code 56290 mean?

SIC code 56290 stands for "Other food services" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section I — Accommodation and food service activities. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.

How many UK companies use SIC code 56290?

There are currently 17,024 active companies registered under SIC code 56290 in the UK, out of 20,828 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 82%, meaning 18% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 56290 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for other food services companies (SIC 56290) are: LONDON (3,603), BIRMINGHAM (491), MANCHESTER (403), GLASGOW (273), LEICESTER (193). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the other food services sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 62% of currently active SIC 56290 companies were formed since 2020, and 30% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for other food services services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 56290?

Companies classified under SIC 56290 have an average age of 6.2 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include SELECTA U.K. LIMITED, NUTRICIA LIMITED, ARAMARK LIMITED.

What SIC codes are similar to 56290?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 56103 (Take-away food shops and mobile food stands), 56101 (Licensed restaurants), 56102 (Unlicensed restaurants and cafes), 56302 (Public houses and bars). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 56290?

You can search for companies with SIC code 56290 (Other food services) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.

Explore Companies Under SIC 56290

Search, filter, and analyse 17,024 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.

Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.