Companies in Bedford

United Kingdom|54.6% formed since 2020|6% inactive|Data updated 5 Sept 2026
14,547
Active

14,547 active companies are based in Bedford according to Companies House records. Out of 17,305 companies ever registered here, 1,123 are no longer active — a 84% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 54.6% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (65%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is buying and selling of own real estate, with 792 companies. 110 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Bedford is home to 266 FCA-regulated firms and 165 registered charities. Companies here hold 696 government contracts worth £1.7B in total. The average company age is 8.4 years. The earliest company registration in Bedford dates back to 1891.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

14,547
Active Companies
17,305
Total Registered
1891
Oldest Company
54.6%
Growth (2020s)

Bedford is a growth hotspot — over half of its active companies were formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
9%
31%
55%
Pre-1990: 404
1990s: 410
2000s: 1,515
2010s: 5,301
2020s: 9,461

Top Industries

Buying and selling of own real estate792→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate744→Management consultancy activities other than financial management697→Other business support service activities n.e.c.387→Information technology consultancy activities358→Residents property management352→Other human health activities296→Other service activities n.e.c.294→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet292→Freight transport by road286→

Data Signals

Governance
44,5686 src
Financial
29,45610 src
Compliance
9,48818 src
Risk
6,48010 src
quality
1,2466 src
Trade
1,0712 src
growth
7472 src
innovation
2442 src
ESG
1996 src
operational
1861 src
corporate_structure
121 src
regulatory
31 src

Top Companies in Bedford

CHARLES WELLS LIMITED
Manufacture of beerEst. 191088 signals
FUJIFILM UK LIMITED
Wholesale of radio, television goods & electrical household appliances (other than records, tapes, CD's & video tapes and the equipment used for playing them)Est. 197699 signals
STONBURY LIMITED
Other specialised construction activities n.e.c.Est. 198389 signals
TENPIN LIMITED
Other amusement and recreation activities n.e.c.Est. 2003115 signals
BELRON UK LIMITED
Maintenance and repair of motor vehiclesEst. 195195 signals
DUNSTER HOUSE LIMITED
Other manufacturing n.e.c.Est. 199427 signals
ULTRATEC LIMITED
Repair of computers and peripheral equipmentEst. 199620 signals
MOLOGIC LTD.
Research and experimental development on biotechnologyEst. 200357 signals
ADAS LIMITED
Manufacture of other products of wood; manufacture of articles of cork, straw and plaiting materialsEst. 199339 signals
LEIDOS SECURITY DETECTION & AUTOMATION U.K. LTD.
Other information technology service activitiesEst. 199737 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Bedford is 8.4 years old. There are 266 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 165 registered charities operate locally.

8.4 yrs
Avg company age
266
FCA regulated
165
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 93 (46%)Medium: 22 (11%)Large: 88 (43%)

Government Investment

Companies in Bedford have been awarded 696 government contracts with a combined value of £1670.4M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Bedford?

There are 14,547 active companies registered in Bedford, out of 17,305 total. 1,123 (6%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Bedford?

The top industries in Bedford include Buying and selling of own real estate (792 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (744 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (697 companies).

How fast is Bedford growing as a business hub?

54.6% of currently active companies in Bedford were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Bedford?

Our database contains 93,700 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Bedford. The largest category is Governance with 44,568 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Bedford?

The oldest company registration in Bedford dates back to 1891, spanning over 135 years of business history.

Data is updated daily from official UK government sources including Companies House. Information is provided for reference only.