SIC code 90040 classifies businesses engaged in operation of arts facilities. There are 2,729 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. It falls under Section R (Arts, entertainment and recreation) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the Operation of arts facilities industry page.
With a 92% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 5 of 2,978 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age is 13.7 years, indicating an established sector with a mix of long-running businesses and newer entrants. The sector is experiencing strong growth, with 31% of active companies formed since 2020 and 37% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate points to continued demand for operation of arts facilities services. The leading locations for this sector are LONDON (676), GLASGOW (63), EDINBURGH (46), which together account for 29% of active companies.
SIC code 90040 stands for "Operation of arts facilities" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section R — Arts, entertainment and recreation. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 2,729 active companies registered under SIC code 90040 in the UK, out of 2,978 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 92%, meaning 8% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for operation of arts facilities companies (SIC 90040) are: LONDON (676), GLASGOW (63), EDINBURGH (46), BRISTOL (45), MANCHESTER (44). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 31% of currently active SIC 90040 companies were formed since 2020, and 37% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for operation of arts facilities services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 90040 have an average age of 13.7 years. This suggests a balanced sector with both established players and newer entrants. Notable companies include WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, SOUTHBANK CENTRE LIMITED, THE HEPWORTH WAKEFIELD.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 90030 (Artistic creation), 90010 (Performing arts), 90020 (Support activities to performing arts), 9000 (Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 90040 (Operation of arts facilities) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 2,729 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.