Companies in Bradford

United Kingdom|67.4% formed since 2020|14% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
21,597
Active

21,597 active companies are currently registered in Bradford, a major UK business hub. Out of 28,648 companies ever registered here, 3,963 are no longer active — a 75% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 67.4% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (89%) 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 1,204 companies. The area hosts 190 large enterprises, 116 small firms. Bradford is home to 428 FCA-regulated firms and 231 registered charities. Companies here hold 447 government contracts worth £5.6B in total. The average company age is 6.3 years. The earliest company registration in Bradford dates back to 1869.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

21,597
Active Companies
28,648
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%
68%
Pre-1990: 473
1990s: 363
2000s: 1,410
2010s: 6,763
2020s: 19,151

Top Industries

Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet1,204→Buying and selling of own real estate1,062→Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,037→Take-away food shops and mobile food stands627→Other human health activities614→Other business support service activities n.e.c.451→Sale of used cars and light motor vehicles432→Other service activities n.e.c.426→Management consultancy activities other than financial management407→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.398→

Data Signals

Governance
89,2956 src
Financial
61,61511 src
Risk
10,94210 src
Compliance
6,63618 src
Trade
2,6622 src
quality
2,6276 src
growth
5322 src
ESG
4465 src
operational
2651 src
innovation
1522 src
corporate_structure
351 src
regulatory
21 src

Top Companies in Bradford

WM MORRISON SUPERMARKETS LIMITED
Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominatingEst. 1940379 signals
EPTA UK LIMITED
Other manufacturing n.e.c.Est. 196299 signals
TIFFIN SANDWICHES LIMITED
Manufacture of prepared meals and dishesEst. 200061 signals
CHRISTIANS AGAINST POVERTY
Financial intermediation not elsewhere classifiedEst. 200343 signals
EXPECT DISTRIBUTION LIMITED
Freight transport by roadEst. 198735 signals
DIXONS ACADEMIES TRUST
Primary educationEst. 198882 signals
NUFARM UK LIMITED
Manufacture of other organic basic chemicalsEst. 199336 signals
FARMERS BOY LIMITED
Production of meat and poultry meat productsEst. 1972109 signals
NEEROCK LIMITED
Production of meat and poultry meat productsEst. 1991107 signals
JCT600 LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehiclesEst. 194694 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Bradford is 6.3 years old. There are 428 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 231 registered charities operate locally.

6.3 yrs
Avg company age
428
FCA regulated
231
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 116 (36%)Medium: 18 (6%)Large: 190 (59%)

Government Investment

Companies in Bradford have been awarded 447 government contracts with a combined value of £5629.6M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Bradford?

There are 21,597 active companies registered in Bradford, out of 28,648 total. 3,963 (14%) 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 (1,204 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (1,062 companies), Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,037 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 175,209 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Bradford. The largest category is Governance with 89,295 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.