Companies in Chester

United Kingdom|50.8% formed since 2020|6% inactive|Data updated 6 Sept 2026
9,956
Active

9,956 active companies are based in Chester according to Companies House records. Out of 11,568 companies ever registered here, 736 are no longer active — a 86% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 50.8% of active businesses incorporated 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 644 companies. The area hosts 112 large enterprises, 160 small firms. Chester is home to 234 FCA-regulated firms and 96 registered charities. Companies here hold 136 government contracts worth £344.9M in total. The average company age is 9.3 years. The earliest company registration in Chester dates back to 1874.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, September 2026

9,956
Active Companies
11,568
Total Registered
1874
Oldest Company
50.8%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
11%
32%
52%
Pre-1990: 273
1990s: 345
2000s: 1,301
2010s: 3,616
2020s: 5,914

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate644→Management consultancy activities other than financial management548→Buying and selling of own real estate466→Residents property management346→Other business support service activities n.e.c.341→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.291→Development of building projects262→Other service activities n.e.c.252→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet215→Information technology consultancy activities205→

Data Signals

Governance
30,7946 src
Financial
21,38912 src
Compliance
6,98617 src
Risk
5,66410 src
Trade
8192 src
quality
7135 src
innovation
2792 src
ESG
2656 src
growth
2052 src
operational
791 src
corporate_structure
341 src
regulatory
21 src

Top Companies in Chester

GB GROUP PLC
Information technology consultancy activitiesEst. 1989137 signals
FOREST HOLIDAYS LIMITED
Other reservation service activities n.e.c.Est. 201299 signals
THE LEARNING TRUST
Primary educationEst. 201188 signals
SAVE THE FAMILY LIMITED
Other accommodationEst. 198523 signals
MEADOW FOODS LIMITED
Liquid milk and cream productionEst. 199257 signals
THE VILLAGE BAKERY (WREXHAM) LIMITED
Manufacture of bread; manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakesEst. 201027 signals
HOSPICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Other human health activitiesEst. 198425 signals
ABBEY SCHOOL LIMITED
Other human health activitiesEst. 201119 signals
MARKS AND SPENCER FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED
Financial intermediation not elsewhere classifiedEst. 198384 signals
EA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Manufacture of electricity distribution and control apparatusEst. 199048 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Chester is 9.3 years old. There are 234 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 96 registered charities operate locally.

9.3 yrs
Avg company age
234
FCA regulated
96
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 160 (57%)Medium: 10 (4%)Large: 112 (40%)

Government Investment

Companies in Chester have been awarded 136 government contracts with a combined value of £344.9M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Chester?

There are 9,956 active companies registered in Chester, out of 11,568 total. 736 (6%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Chester?

The top industries in Chester include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (644 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (548 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (466 companies).

How fast is Chester growing as a business hub?

50.8% of currently active companies in Chester were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Chester?

Our database contains 67,229 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Chester. The largest category is Governance with 30,794 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Chester?

The oldest company registration in Chester dates back to 1874, spanning over 152 years of business history.

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