Companies in Bradford

United Kingdom|67.4% formed since 2020|8% inactive|Data updated 5 Sept 2026
22,036
Active

22,036 active companies are currently registered in Bradford, a major UK business hub. Out of 28,298 companies ever registered here, 2,343 are no longer active — a 78% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 67.4% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (85%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is retail sale via mail order houses or via internet, with 1,219 companies. The area hosts 202 large enterprises, 120 small firms. Bradford is home to 420 FCA-regulated firms and 237 registered charities. Companies here hold 445 government contracts worth £5.6B in total. The average company age is 6.2 years. The earliest company registration in Bradford dates back to 1869.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

22,036
Active Companies
28,298
Total Registered
1869
Oldest Company
67.4%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
24%
67%
Pre-1990: 479
1990s: 369
2000s: 1,414
2010s: 6,780
2020s: 18,767

Top Industries

Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet1,219→Buying and selling of own real estate1,061→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,038→Other human health activities618→Take-away food shops and mobile food stands618→Other business support service activities n.e.c.462→Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles446→Other service activities n.e.c.440→Management consultancy activities other than financial management424→Freight transport by road405→

Data Signals

Governance
65,1676 src
Financial
38,35911 src
Compliance
11,58418 src
Risk
10,14011 src
quality
2,5236 src
Trade
1,5822 src
growth
4852 src
ESG
4675 src
operational
2611 src
innovation
1952 src
corporate_structure
391 src
regulatory
21 src

Top Companies in Bradford

WM MORRISON SUPERMARKETS LIMITED
Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominatingEst. 1940376 signals
YORKSHIRE WATER SERVICES LIMITED
Water collection, treatment and supplyEst. 1989168 signals
JCT600 LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehiclesEst. 194697 signals
EPTA UK LIMITED
Other manufacturing n.e.c.Est. 196295 signals
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY
Financial intermediation not elsewhere classifiedEst. 200340 signals
VANQUIS BANKING GROUP PLC
Activities of financial services holding companiesEst. 196086 signals
TIFFIN SANDWICHES LIMITED
Manufacture of prepared meals and dishesEst. 200055 signals
LRUK (RETAIL) LIMITED
Retail sale via mail order houses or via InternetEst. 191080 signals
NUFARM UK LIMITED
Manufacture of other organic basic chemicalsEst. 199333 signals
EXPECT DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
Freight transport by roadEst. 198729 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Bradford is 6.2 years old. There are 420 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 237 registered charities operate locally.

6.2 yrs
Avg company age
420
FCA regulated
237
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 120 (35%)Medium: 17 (5%)Large: 202 (60%)

Government Investment

Companies in Bradford have been awarded 445 government contracts with a combined value of £5590.8M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Bradford?

There are 22,036 active companies registered in Bradford, out of 28,298 total. 2,343 (8%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Bradford?

The top industries in Bradford include Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (1,219 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (1,061 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,038 companies).

How fast is Bradford growing as a business hub?

67.4% of currently active companies in Bradford were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Bradford?

Our database contains 130,804 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Bradford. The largest category is Governance with 65,167 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Bradford?

The oldest company registration in Bradford dates back to 1869, spanning over 157 years of business history.

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