Licensed restaurants Companies in the UK

SIC 56101Accommodation and food service activities|218.3% formed since 2020|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
42,622
Active

42,622 active companies in the UK are classified under licensed restaurants (SIC code 56101). This sector falls under Section I — Accommodation and food service activities — of the UK Standard Industrial Classification. The sector has a relatively low 14.9% dissolution rate — 42,622 of 63,613 registrations remain active. The sector is experiencing rapid growth, with 218.3% of active businesses incorporated since 2020 — indicating strong recent demand. 138% of companies were formed after 2010, marking this as a sector with predominantly recent entrants. The average company age in this sector is 5.6 years. 227 large companies, 17 medium-sized firms operate in this sector. London leads with 21% of companies in this sector. Companies in this sector hold 58 government contracts valued at £86.0M. The sector's longest-standing company was incorporated in 1887.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

42,622
Active Companies
I
SIC Section
1887
Oldest Company
218.3%
Growth (2020s)
5.6 yr
Avg Company Age

A rapidly growing sector with 218.3% of active companies formed since 2020.

Incorporation by Decade
29%
64%
Pre-1990: 363
1990s: 677
2000s: 3,036
2010s: 18,416
2020s: 40,211

Data Signals

Governance
176,0926 src
Financial
126,68611 src
quality
28,5854 src
Risk
22,77010 src
Compliance
12,83514 src
Trade
3,4742 src
ESG
7485 src
growth
1432 src
innovation
382 src
corporate_structure
161 src
operational
111 src
regulatory
31 src

Sector Overview

The licensed restaurants sector has a <Link href="/glossary/company-dissolution">14.9% dissolution rate</Link>. The average active company in this sector is 5.6 years old. Geographic concentration: 21% in LONDON.

14.9%
Dissolution rate
5.6 yrs
Avg company age

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 503 (67%)Medium: 17 (2%)Large: 227 (30%)

Government Activity

Companies in the licensed restaurants sector have been awarded 58 government contracts worth £86.0M in total.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many licensed restaurants companies are there in the UK?

There are 42,622 active companies classified under SIC code 56101 (Licensed restaurants) in the UK, out of 63,613 total registered.

What is SIC code 56101?

SIC code 56101 stands for "Licensed restaurants". It belongs to Section I — Accommodation and food service activities of the UK Standard Industrial Classification.

Where are most licensed restaurants companies located?

The largest concentrations are in LONDON (8,855), GLASGOW (991), MANCHESTER (936).

What is the average age of licensed restaurants companies?

The average active licensed restaurants company in the UK is 5.6 years old, with the oldest registration dating back to 1887.

What government data is available for licensed restaurants companies?

Our database contains 371,401 data signals across 12 categories for active licensed restaurants companies. The largest category is Governance with 176,092 signals from 6 government sources.

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