Companies in Oldham

United Kingdom|63.8% formed since 2020|13% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
12,935
Active

12,935 active companies are based in Oldham according to Companies House records. Out of 16,712 companies ever registered here, 2,090 are no longer active — a 77% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 63.8% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (82%) 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 725 companies. 93 medium and large companies operate here, indicating a significant commercial presence. Oldham is home to 268 FCA-regulated firms and 104 registered charities. Companies here hold 127 government contracts worth £332.9M in total. The average company age is 6.6 years. The earliest company registration in Oldham dates back to 1899.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

12,935
Active Companies
16,712
Total Registered
1899
Oldest Company
63.8%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
26%
65%
Pre-1990: 223
1990s: 260
2000s: 1,111
2010s: 4,203
2020s: 10,650

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate725→Buying and selling of own real estate662→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet607→Other business support service activities n.e.c.391→Management consultancy activities other than financial management368→Other human health activities276→Other service activities n.e.c.274→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.255→Take-away food shops and mobile food stands235→Development of building projects226→

Data Signals

Governance
53,7636 src
Financial
38,67411 src
Risk
6,5689 src
Compliance
4,11616 src
Trade
1,4452 src
quality
1,3135 src
growth
1662 src
ESG
1525 src
operational
1401 src
innovation
432 src
corporate_structure
61 src
regulatory
11 src

Top Companies in Oldham

MOLNLYCKE HEALTH CARE LIMITED
Manufacture of basic pharmaceutical productsEst. 1998103 signals
DR KERSHAW'S HOSPICE
Other human health activitiesEst. 200434 signals
JAMES BRIGGS LIMITED
Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.Est. 201350 signals
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Other research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineeringEst. 198548 signals
ULTIMATE PRODUCTS UK LIMITED
Wholesale of textilesEst. 1997105 signals
PENNINE MENCAP
Other social work activities without accommodation n.e.c.Est. 201229 signals
MAHDLO (OLDHAM YOUTH ZONE)
Operation of arts facilitiesEst. 200927 signals
ROWAN ASHWORTH LIMITED
Construction of other civil engineering projects n.e.c.Est. 200122 signals
VPS (UK) LIMITED
Other service activities n.e.c.Est. 200086 signals
FUTURE DIRECTIONS CIC
Other human health activitiesEst. 201233 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Oldham is 6.6 years old. There are 268 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 104 registered charities operate locally.

6.6 yrs
Avg company age
268
FCA regulated
104
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 65 (41%)Medium: 8 (5%)Large: 85 (54%)

Government Investment

Companies in Oldham have been awarded 127 government contracts with a combined value of £332.9M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Oldham?

There are 12,935 active companies registered in Oldham, out of 16,712 total. 2,090 (13%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Oldham?

The top industries in Oldham include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (725 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (662 companies), Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet (607 companies).

How fast is Oldham growing as a business hub?

63.8% of currently active companies in Oldham were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Oldham?

Our database contains 106,387 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Oldham. The largest category is Governance with 53,763 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Oldham?

The oldest company registration in Oldham dates back to 1899, spanning over 127 years of business history.

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