Companies in Colchester

United Kingdom|48.5% formed since 2020|11% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
15,572
Active

15,572 active companies are based in Colchester according to Companies House records. Out of 18,863 companies ever registered here, 1,987 are no longer active — a 83% survival rate. Business formation remains steady, with 48.5% of current companies established since 2020. Over half (60%) 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 773 companies. The area hosts 132 large enterprises, 172 small firms. Colchester is home to 353 FCA-regulated firms and 149 registered charities. Companies here hold 587 government contracts worth £643.8M in total. The average company age is 9.7 years. The earliest company registration in Colchester dates back to 1876.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

15,572
Active Companies
18,863
Total Registered
1876
Oldest Company
48.5%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
11%
33%
50%
Pre-1990: 511
1990s: 640
2000s: 2,100
2010s: 6,075
2020s: 9,343

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate773→Other business support service activities n.e.c.672→Residents property management651→Buying and selling of own real estate644→Management consultancy activities other than financial management631→Development of building projects404→Information technology consultancy activities328→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.316→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet313→Other human health activities301→

Data Signals

Governance
65,6746 src
Financial
54,84910 src
Risk
8,83010 src
Compliance
6,57018 src
Trade
2,0752 src
quality
2,0426 src
growth
6792 src
ESG
2916 src
operational
2101 src
innovation
2052 src
corporate_structure
141 src
regulatory
21 src

Top Companies in Colchester

SUE RYDER
Other human health activitiesEst. 1968138 signals
STOURGARDEN LIMITED
Wholesale of fruit and vegetablesEst. 199540 signals
ESSEX WILDLIFE TRUST LIMITED
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.Est. 195931 signals
MSX INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Other business support service activities n.e.c.Est. 198558 signals
AUTISM ANGLIA
Primary educationEst. 199740 signals
CONSENSUS SUPPORT SERVICES LIMITED
Residential care activities for learning difficulties, mental health and substance abuseEst. 2000169 signals
PROVIDE COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY
Other human health activitiesEst. 201037 signals
COMMUNITY360
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.Est. 200227 signals
JACK SEALEY LIMITED
Wholesale of other machinery and equipmentEst. 1977112 signals
FORD RETAIL LIMITED
Sale of new cars and light motor vehiclesEst. 1923108 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Colchester is 9.7 years old. There are 353 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 149 registered charities operate locally.

9.7 yrs
Avg company age
353
FCA regulated
149
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 172 (54%)Medium: 16 (5%)Large: 132 (41%)

Government Investment

Companies in Colchester have been awarded 587 government contracts with a combined value of £643.8M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Colchester?

There are 15,572 active companies registered in Colchester, out of 18,863 total. 1,987 (11%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Colchester?

The top industries in Colchester include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (773 companies), Other business support service activities n.e.c. (672 companies), Residents property management (651 companies).

How fast is Colchester growing as a business hub?

48.5% of currently active companies in Colchester were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Colchester?

Our database contains 141,441 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Colchester. The largest category is Governance with 65,674 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Colchester?

The oldest company registration in Colchester dates back to 1876, spanning over 150 years of business history.

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