Companies in Preston

United Kingdom|54.9% formed since 2020|12% inactive|Data updated 19 Oct 2026
19,344
Active

19,344 active companies are based in Preston according to Companies House records. Out of 24,404 companies ever registered here, 2,849 are no longer active — a 79% survival rate. The area has seen significant recent growth, with 54.9% of active businesses incorporated since 2020. Over half (69%) 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 1,155 companies. The area hosts 227 large enterprises, 153 small firms. Preston is home to 398 FCA-regulated firms and 194 registered charities. Companies here hold 555 government contracts worth £7.3B in total. The average company age is 8.6 years. The earliest company registration in Preston dates back to 1893.

Source: Companies House register via UVAGATRON, October 2026

19,344
Active Companies
24,404
Total Registered
1893
Oldest Company
54.9%
Growth (2020s)

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

Incorporation by Decade
11%
29%
56%
Pre-1990: 497
1990s: 590
2000s: 2,569
2010s: 7,070
2020s: 13,380

Top Industries

Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate1,155→Buying and selling of own real estate797→Management consultancy activities other than financial management696→Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet629→Activities of other holding companies n.e.c.576→Other business support service activities n.e.c.510→Other service activities n.e.c.463→Dormant Company436→Development of building projects386→Other human health activities359→

Data Signals

Governance
80,7136 src
Financial
65,29211 src
Risk
10,95010 src
Compliance
7,51618 src
Trade
2,6012 src
quality
1,8606 src
growth
6502 src
innovation
4362 src
operational
3881 src
ESG
3705 src
corporate_structure
491 src
regulatory
31 src

Top Companies in Preston

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND EYECARE LIMITED
General medical practice activitiesEst. 201098 signals
HUNTAPAC PRODUCE LIMITED
Growing of vegetables and melons, roots and tubersEst. 197993 signals
EXPLEO UK LIMITED
Engineering design activities for industrial process and productionEst. 197390 signals
CONLON CONSTRUCTION LIMITED
Development of building projectsEst. 196149 signals
SPRINGFIELDS FUELS LIMITED
Processing of nuclear fuelEst. 199998 signals
THE LANCASHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST LTD
Activities of other membership organizations n.e.c.Est. 196236 signals
THE BARTON GRANGE GROUP LIMITED
Plant propagationEst. 195834 signals
E.H.BOOTH & CO.,LIMITED
Retail sale in non-specialised stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominatingEst. 1896100 signals
JAMES HALL AND COMPANY LIMITED
Non-specialised wholesale tradeEst. 197158 signals
NCO EUROPE LIMITED
Activities of call centresEst. 199531 signals

Business Landscape

The average active company in Preston is 8.6 years old. There are 398 <Link href="/glossary/fca-financial-conduct-authority">FCA-regulated firms</Link> in the area. 194 registered charities operate locally.

8.6 yrs
Avg company age
398
FCA regulated
194
Charities

Company Size Breakdown

Small: 153 (37%)Medium: 30 (7%)Large: 227 (55%)

Government Investment

Companies in Preston have been awarded 555 government contracts with a combined value of £7288.3M. See the Top Government Contractors report.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many companies are registered in Preston?

There are 19,344 active companies registered in Preston, out of 24,404 total. 2,849 (12%) are no longer active.

What are the main industries in Preston?

The top industries in Preston include Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate (1,155 companies), Buying and selling of own real estate (797 companies), Management consultancy activities other than financial management (696 companies).

How fast is Preston growing as a business hub?

54.9% of currently active companies in Preston were incorporated since 2020, indicating strong recent growth.

What data signals are available for companies in Preston?

Our database contains 170,828 data signals across 12 categories for active companies in Preston. The largest category is Governance with 80,713 signals from 6 sources.

When was the first company registered in Preston?

The oldest company registration in Preston dates back to 1893, spanning over 133 years of business history.

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