Companies in Bristol

United Kingdom|48.7% formed since 2020|10% inactive|Data updated 24 Oct 2026
53,859
Active

53,859 active companies are currently registered in Bristol, a major UK business hub. Out of 64,386 companies ever registered here, 6,148 are no longer active — a 84% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 48.7% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (59%) of active companies were formed since 2020, making this one of the UK's fastest-growing business locations. The most common industry sector is other letting and operating of own or leased real estate, with 3,460 companies. The area hosts 1,022 large enterprises, 806 small firms. Bristol is home to 990 FCA-regulated firms and 700 registered charities. Companies here hold 3,765 government contracts worth £7.2B in total. The average company age is 10.1 years. The earliest company registration in Bristol dates back to 1871.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

53,859
Active Companies
64,386
Total Registered
1871
Oldest Company
48.7%
Growth (2020s)

A diverse local economy with no single sector accounting for more than 15% of businesses.

Incorporation by Decade
11%
31%
50%
Pre-1990: 2,536
1990s: 2,150
2000s: 7,216
2010s: 19,904
2020s: 31,822

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate3,460→Residents property management2,936→Management consultancy activities other than financial management2,030→Buying and selling of own real estate2,030→Dormant Company1,436→Other business support service activities n.e.c.1,399→Information technology consultancy activities1,234→Development of building projects1,214→Business and domestic software development1,083→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.1,062→

Data Signals

Governance
227,7036 src
Financial
192,73012 src
Risk
33,66311 src
Compliance
23,85619 src
Trade
6,5482 src
quality
5,1756 src
growth
4,2302 src
innovation
3,2192 src
ESG
1,5306 src
operational
6001 src
corporate_structure
2721 src
regulatory
201 src

Top Companies in Bristol

MILESTONES TRUST
Residential care activities for the elderly and disabledEst. 1986165 signals
NATIONAL GRID ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION (SOUTH WEST) PLC
Distribution of electricityEst. 1989135 signals
BRUNELCARE
Other accommodationEst. 1958128 signals
HOARE LEA LLP
Est. 2016163 signals
NISBETS LIMITED
Non-specialised wholesale tradeEst. 1983144 signals
ST PETER'S HOSPICE
Post-graduate level higher educationEst. 197494 signals
JISC
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.Est. 2006181 signals
HF TRUST LIMITED
Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuseEst. 1962150 signals
THE BRANDON TRUST
Residential nursing care facilitiesEst. 1989106 signals
CABOT LEARNING FEDERATION
Other education n.e.c.Est. 200782 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Bristol is 10.1 years old. There are 990 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 700 registered charities operate locally.

10.1 yrs
Avg company age
990
FCA regulated
700
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 806 (42%)Medium: 69 (4%)Large: 1,022 (54%)

Government Investment

Companies in Bristol have been awarded 3,765 government contracts with a combined value of £7176.9M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Bristol?

There are 53,859 active companies registered in Bristol, out of 64,386 total. 6,148 (10%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Bristol?

The top industries in Bristol include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (3,460 companies), Residents property management (2,936 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (2,030 companies).

How fast is Bristol growing as a business hub?

48.7% of currently active companies in Bristol were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Bristol?

Our database contains 499,546 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Bristol. The largest category is Governance with 227,703 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Bristol?

The oldest company registration in Bristol dates back to 1871, spanning over 155 years of business history.

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