Companies in Cheltenham

United Kingdom|47% formed since 2020|9% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
13,672
Active

13,672 active companies are based in Cheltenham according to Companies House records. Out of 16,235 companies ever registered here, 1,469 are no longer active — a 84% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 47% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (56%) 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 786 companies. The area hosts 183 large enterprises, 288 small firms. Cheltenham is home to 333 FCA-regulated firms and 135 registered charities. Companies here hold 409 government contracts worth £1.4B in total. The average company age is 10.5 years. The earliest company registration in Cheltenham dates back to 1877.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

13,672
Active Companies
16,235
Total Registered
1877
Oldest Company
47%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
12%
33%
47%
Pre-1990: 619
1990s: 681
2000s: 1,942
2010s: 5,228
2020s: 7,609

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate786→Management consultancy activities other than financial management751→Residents property management607→Buying and selling of own real estate515→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.465→Other business support service activities n.e.c.435→Information technology consultancy activities377→Development of building projects334→Dormant Company278→Business and domestic software development249→

Data Signals

Governance
57,9056 src
Financial
50,53310 src
Risk
9,16810 src
Compliance
6,44517 src
Trade
2,1162 src
quality
1,6546 src
growth
5052 src
innovation
5012 src
ESG
3326 src
operational
1261 src
corporate_structure
301 src
regulatory
41 src

Top Companies in Cheltenham

UNIVERSITY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE
First-degree level higher educationEst. 2006194 signals
COMMERCIAL LIMITED
Other business support service activities n.e.c.Est. 199156 signals
GE AVIATION SYSTEMS LIMITED
Manufacture of electronic componentsEst. 1963186 signals
SPIRAX-SARCO LIMITED
Manufacture of fluid power equipmentEst. 1952129 signals
JOCKEY CLUB RACECOURSES LIMITED
Operation of sports facilitiesEst. 199499 signals
BAYLIS (GLOUCESTER) LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehiclesEst. 1993102 signals
COBALT HEALTH
Specialists medical practice activitiesEst. 200238 signals
PORTMAN HEALTHCARE LIMITED
Other human health activitiesEst. 2008257 signals
SUPERDRY LIMITED
Wholesale of clothing and footwearEst. 200973 signals
COTSWOLD MOTOR GROUP LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehiclesEst. 199544 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Cheltenham is 10.5 years old. There are 333 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 135 registered charities operate locally.

10.5 yrs
Avg company age
333
FCA regulated
135
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 288 (59%)Medium: 17 (3%)Large: 183 (38%)

Government Investment

Companies in Cheltenham have been awarded 409 government contracts with a combined value of £1448.2M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Cheltenham?

There are 13,672 active companies registered in Cheltenham, out of 16,235 total. 1,469 (9%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Cheltenham?

The top industries in Cheltenham include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (786 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (751 companies), Residents property management (607 companies).

How fast is Cheltenham growing as a business hub?

47% of currently active companies in Cheltenham were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Cheltenham?

Our database contains 129,319 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Cheltenham. The largest category is Governance with 57,905 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Cheltenham?

The oldest company registration in Cheltenham dates back to 1877, spanning over 149 years of business history.

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