Companies in Chester

United Kingdom|49.8% formed since 2020|Data updated 17 Apr 2026
10,227
Active

10,227 active companies are based in Chester according to Companies House records. Out of 11,217 companies ever registered here, 34 are no longer active — a 91% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 49.8% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (54%) 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 637 companies. 111 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Chester is home to 243 FCA-regulated firms and 111 registered charities. Companies here hold 217 government contracts worth £348.8M in total. The average company age is 9.2 years. The earliest company registration in Chester dates back to 1874.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, April 2026

10,227
Active Companies
11,217
Total Registered
1874
Oldest Company
49.8%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
12%
33%
49%
Pre-1990: 280
1990s: 356
2000s: 1,345
2010s: 3,731
2020s: 5,505

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate637→Management consultancy activities other than financial management562→Buying and selling of own real estate460→Other business support service activities n.e.c.355→Residents property management350→Other service activities n.e.c.287→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.259→Development of building projects252→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet224→Information technology consultancy activities199→

Data Signals

Governance
31,7245 src
Financial
20,14811 src
Compliance
6,89315 src
Risk
4,83910 src
Trade
8532 src
quality
4464 src
ESG
2686 src
growth
2282 src
innovation
872 src
operational
841 src
corporate_structure
181 src
regulatory
31 src

Top Companies in Chester

FOREST HOLIDAYS LIMITED
Other reservation service activities n.e.c.Est. 201290 signals
GB GROUP PLC
Information technology consultancy activitiesEst. 1989131 signals
THE LEARNING TRUST
Primary educationEst. 201187 signals
SAVE THE FAMILY LIMITED
Other accommodationEst. 198520 signals
THE VILLAGE BAKERY (WREXHAM) LIMITED
Manufacture of bread; manufacture of fresh pastry goods and cakesEst. 201024 signals
HOSPICE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Other human health activitiesEst. 198422 signals
ABBEY SCHOOL LIMITED
Other human health activitiesEst. 201117 signals
MARKS AND SPENCER FINANCIAL SERVICES PLC
Financial intermediation not elsewhere classifiedEst. 198380 signals
MEADOW FOODS LIMITED
Liquid milk and cream productionEst. 199256 signals
BLACON HIGH SCHOOL TRUST
General secondary educationEst. 201033 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Chester is 9.2 years old. There are 243 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 111 registered charities operate locally.

9.2 yrs
Avg company age
243
FCA regulated
111
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 181 (62%)Medium: 11 (4%)Large: 100 (34%)

Government Investment

Companies in Chester have been awarded 217 government contracts with a combined value of £348.8M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Chester?

There are 10,227 active companies registered in Chester, out of 11,217 total. 34 (0%) 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 (637 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (562 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (460 companies).

How fast is Chester growing as a business hub?

49.8% 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 65,591 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Chester. The largest category is Governance with 31,724 signals from 5 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.