Companies in Bedford

United Kingdom|54.4% formed since 2020|10% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
14,532
Active

14,532 active companies are based in Bedford according to Companies House records. Out of 17,625 companies ever registered here, 1,808 are no longer active — a 82% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 54.4% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (67%) 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 800 companies. 109 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Bedford is home to 265 FCA-regulated firms and 161 registered charities. Companies here hold 675 government contracts worth £521.1M in total. The average company age is 8.5 years. The earliest company registration in Bedford dates back to 1891.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

14,532
Active Companies
17,625
Total Registered
1891
Oldest Company
54.4%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
9%
31%
56%
Pre-1990: 406
1990s: 418
2000s: 1,556
2010s: 5,356
2020s: 9,675

Top Industries

Buying and selling of own real estate800→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate756→Management consultancy activities other than financial management686→Other business support service activities n.e.c.386→Residents property management356→Information technology consultancy activities350→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet295→Other human health activities291→Other service activities n.e.c.291→Freight transport by road281→

Data Signals

Governance
60,8355 src
Financial
48,32510 src
Risk
7,37810 src
Compliance
5,81318 src
Trade
1,8372 src
quality
1,3126 src
growth
7702 src
innovation
2722 src
ESG
1986 src
operational
1901 src
corporate_structure
131 src
regulatory
31 src

Top Companies in Bedford

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. 1976103 signals
STONBURY LIMITED
Other specialised construction activities n.e.c.Est. 198395 signals
CHARLES WELLS LIMITED
Manufacture of beerEst. 191088 signals
DUNSTER HOUSE LIMITED
Other manufacturing n.e.c.Est. 199431 signals
ULTRATEC LIMITED
Repair of computers and peripheral equipmentEst. 199626 signals
TENPIN LIMITED
Other amusement and recreation activities n.e.c.Est. 2003119 signals
MOLOGIC LTD.
Research and experimental development on biotechnologyEst. 200379 signals
RESTORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Remediation activities and other waste management servicesEst. 200139 signals
CENTRAL PHARMA CONTRACT PACKING LIMITED
Packaging activitiesEst. 200636 signals
HATTERS LIMITED
Retail of furniture, lighting, and similar (not musical instruments or scores) in specialised storeEst. 199731 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Bedford is 8.5 years old. There are 265 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 161 registered charities operate locally.

8.5 yrs
Avg company age
265
FCA regulated
161
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 89 (45%)Medium: 23 (12%)Large: 86 (43%)

Government Investment

Companies in Bedford have been awarded 675 government contracts with a combined value of £521.1M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Bedford?

There are 14,532 active companies registered in Bedford, out of 17,625 total. 1,808 (10%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Bedford?

The top industries in Bedford include Buying and selling of own real estate (800 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (756 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (686 companies).

How fast is Bedford growing as a business hub?

54.4% 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 126,946 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Bedford. The largest category is Governance with 60,835 signals from 5 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.