Bedford, Bedfordshire

2014 Annual Business Confidence Report

Headlines

  • 2014 was a record year for company registrations in Bedford when compared to any year in history.
  • The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous second half year.
  • Q4 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous Q4.
  • December 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous December.
  • November 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous November.
  • October 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous October.
  • The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Bedford when compared to any previous second half year.

Contents

  1. New Company Registrations
  2. Closed Companies (dissolved)
  3. Net Company Growth
  4. UK Company Share
  5. Director Age
  6. Director Gender
  7. Naming Trends
  8. SIC Data
  9. Recent Companies

New Company Registrations

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    2014 was a record year for company registrations in Bedford when compared to any year in history.

    A total of 1,811 companies were formed in Bedford in 2014. This total is 18.1% higher than in 2013 and compares favourably to the UK figure of a 10.0% growth compared to 529,363 the previous year.

    YearBedfordUK
    20141,811582,051
    20131,533529,363
    20121,424491,893
    20111,306452,870
    20101,212400,358
    Record Year2014 (1,811)2014 (582,051)
    New Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 884 companies were formed in Bedford. This figure is 23.8% higher than last year, which compares well to the UK wide figure of 8.2%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Bedford occurred in 2014 when a total of 884 were formed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordUK
    2014884281,320
    2013714259,931
    % change23.8%8.2%
    Record Year2014 (884)2014 (281,320)
    New Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Q4 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous Q4.

    A total of 439 companies were registered in Bedford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is an increase of 19.0% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares well to the UK as a whole, which saw an increase of 8.4% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)BedfordUK
    2014439137,906
    2013369127,247
    % change19.0%8.4%
    Record Year 2014 (439) 2014 (137,906)
    New Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    December 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous December.

    November 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous November.

    October 2014 saw a new record in company registrations in Bedford when compared to any previous October.

    New Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    New companies in 2014165146128
    New companies in 2013145111113
    % change13.8%31.5%13.3%
    Record Year2014 (165)2014 (146)2014 (128)

Closed Companies (dissolved)

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 1,086 companies were dissolved in Bedford in 2014. This total is 14.3% higher than in 2013 and compares favourably to the UK figure of 10.8% growth compared to the previous year.

    YearBedfordUK
    20141,086367,937
    2013950332,213
    2012891293,729
    2011784314,524
    2010869342,233
    Record Year2009 (1,270)2009 (533,789)
    Dissolved Companies by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The second half of 2014 saw a new record in company closures in Bedford when compared to any previous second half year.

    In the second half of 2014 a total of 581 companies were dissolved in Bedford. This figure is 14.4% higher than last year, which compares badly to the UK wide change of 7.7%.

    The highest total for a second half year in Bedford occurred in 2014 when a total of 581 were closed.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordUK
    2014581190,730
    2013508177,021
    % change14.4%7.7%
    Record Year2014 (581)2009 (244,544)
    Dissolved Companies by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    A total of 263 companies were dissolved in Bedford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014).

    This figure is a decrease of 5.4% versus the same period last year (Q4 2013). This figure compares well to the UK as a whole, which saw a decrease of 2.0% against the same period last year.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)BedfordUK
    201426389,060
    201327890,851
    % change-5.4%-2.0%
    Record Year 2013 (278) 2013 (90,851)
    Dissolved Companies by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Dissolved Companies by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Closed companies in 2014838298
    Closed companies in 20138692100
    % change-3.5%-10.9%-2%
    Record Year2012 (104)2013 (92)2013 (100)

Net Company Growth

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    A total of 725 companies were added to the company register for Bedford in 2014. This number represents growth of 40.0% in the total number of active companies, which compares favourably to the UK figure of 36.8%.

    This number is 142 companies higher than the previous year.

    The highest net company growth figure ever seen in one year came in 2014 when the Bedford company register grew by 725 companies.

    YearBedfordUK
    2014725214,114
    2013583197,150
    2012533198,164
    2011522138,346
    201034358,125
    Record Year2014 (725)2007 (237,353)
    Net Growth by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 the company register for Bedford increased by 303 companies.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)BedfordUK
    201430390,590
    201320682,910
    Record Year2005 (341)2003 (117,772)
    Net Growth by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    Net company growth for Bedford during the fourth quarter of 2014 (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014) was 176 companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)BedfordUK
    201417648,846
    20139136,396
    Record Year 2014 (176) 2012 (49,848)
    Net Growth by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Net Growth by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    Net growth in 2014826430
    Net growth in 2013591913
    Record Year2008 (83)2003 (66)2003 (54)

UK Company Share

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    In 2014 Bedford formed 0.3% of all UK companies. This is no change on 2013 when Bedford was responsible for 0.3% of all UK companies.

    YearBedford
    20140.3%
    20130.3%
    20120.3%
    20110.3%
    20100.3%
    Record Year (since 1960)1993 (0.3%)
    Company Share by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    In the second half of 2014 Bedford formed 0.3% of all UK companies. This is the same as the 2013 figure of 0.3%.

    Half Year (Jul-Dec)Bedford
    20140.3%
    20130.3%
    20120.3%
    20110.3%
    20100.3%
    Record Year (since 1960) 1993 (0.4%)
    Company Share by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    In the fourth quarter of 2014, Bedford formed 0.3% of all UK companies.

    fourth quarter (Oct 2014 - Dec 2014)Bedford
    20140.3%
    20130.3%
    20120.3%
    20110.3%
    20100.3%
    Record Year (since 1960) 2008 (0.4%)
    Company Share by Quarter
  4. Monthly Data (Oct, Nov & Dec 2014)

    Company Share by Month
    OctoberNovemberDecember
    UK formation share in 20140.3%0.3%0.3%
    UK formation share in 20130.3%0.3%0.3%
    % change8.3%24.9%-3.0%
    Record Year1995 (0.4%)1986 (0.4%)1999 (0.4%)

Director Age

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The average age of a director in 2014 was 43.7.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 3.4% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.1% compared to the UK figure of 4.0%.

    Director Age by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The average age of a director in the second half of 2014 was 44.0.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 3.4% compared to the UK figure of 3.7%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.8% compared to the UK figure of 4.5%.

    Director Age by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    The average age of a director in the fourth quarter of 2014 was 43.3.

    The percentage of directors under the age of 25 was 2.5% compared to the UK figure of 3.8%.

    The percentage of directors over the age of 65 was 3.3% compared to the UK figure of 4.5%.

    Director Age by Quarter

Director Gender

  1. Annual Data (2014)

    The record year for female directors in Bedford was 1978 when 100.0% of all directors were female.

    The percentage of female directors in Bedford in 2014 was 29.3%. The average for the UK during this time was 26.1%

    Director Gender by Year
  2. Half Year Data (Jul-Dec 2014)

    The record second half year for female directors in Bedford was 2012 when 31.5% of all directors were female.

    29.2% of all director appointments in Bedford in the second half of 2014 were female. This compares to a UK average of 26.1% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Half Year
  3. Quarterly Data (Q4 Oct-Dec 2014)

    The record fourth quarter for female directors in Bedford was in 2012 when 34.3% of all directors were female.

    28.6% of all director appointments in Bedford in the fourth quarter of 2014 were female. This compares to a UK average of 25.8% for the same period.

    Director Gender by Quarter

Naming Trends

  1. Previous 12 months (Dec 2013-Dec 2014)

    Excluding: LIMITED, LTD, &, UK, SERVICES, THE, (UK), AND, LTD., A, LLP, SOLUTIONS, COMPANY, OF.

    wordpercentageuk worduk percentage
    CONSULTING1.54%CONSULTING5.22%
    CONSULTANCY1.39%MANAGEMENT4.58%
    CARE1.24%CONSULTANCY3.57%
    BEDFORD1.20%PROPERTY2.66%
    PROPERTY1.20%CONSTRUCTION2.12%
    MANAGEMENT1.12%ENGINEERING2.10%
    CONSULTANTS0.96%CARE2.02%
    J0.96%TRADING1.94%
    HEALTHCARE0.85%LONDON1.93%
    ENGINEERING0.73%TRANSPORT1.93%
    DEVELOPMENTS0.66%DESIGN1.66%
    BUILDING0.66%CONSULTANTS1.64%
    S0.66%ELECTRICAL1.62%
    CONSTRUCTION0.62%PROPERTIES1.62%
    TRANSPORT0.58%BUSINESS1.56%
    TRADING0.54%J1.54%
    ASSOCIATES0.54%CO.,1.50%
    M0.54%GLOBAL1.49%
    C0.50%INVESTMENTS1.48%
    RV0.50%ASSOCIATES1.47%
    HEALTH0.46%DEVELOPMENTS1.35%
    CO0.46%MEDIA1.33%
    MEDIA0.46%IT1.31%
    DESIGN0.46%BUILDING1.29%
    HOUSE0.42%M1.22%

SIC Data

  1. Previous 36 months, excluding companies less than 12 months old

    sic codenumber of companiesuk companies
    None Supplied650265,608
    99999 - Dormant Company15948,509
    70229 - Management consultancy activities other than financial management15142,290
    82990 - Other business support service activities not elsewhere classified8758,068
    62020 - Information technology consultancy activities8430,178
    96090 - Other service activities not elsewhere classified7629,009
    74909 - Other professional, scientific and technical activities not elsewhere classified6519,049
    86900 - Other human health activities5212,976
    62090 - Other information technology service activities4812,837
    49410 - Freight transport by road4410,842
    47910 - Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet3910,107
    41100 - Development of building projects3811,397
    56101 - Licensed restaurants358,782
    43999 - Other specialised construction activities not elsewhere classified328,761
    45200 - Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles325,425
    41202 - Construction of domestic buildings297,559
    68209 - Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate2811,212
    62012 - Business and domestic software development289,752
    47990 - Other retail sale not in stores, stalls or markets276,452
    96020 - Hairdressing and other beauty treatment246,742

Recent Companies

  1. Randomly selected companies from this quarter

    COMPANY NUMBERCOMPANY NAMEINCORPORATION DATE
    09243692 RAPHA UK HEALTHCARE LIMITED 01 Oct 2014
    09245708 CAPPUCINO BAR LTD 02 Oct 2014
    09250416 AWESOME SYSTEMS LTD 06 Oct 2014
    09250873 SRH AIRCRAFT LIMITED 06 Oct 2014
    09254407 GMS TRANSPORT LTD 08 Oct 2014
    09265228 DIWA COMPANY LIMITED 15 Oct 2014
    09270315 SSG COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS 20 Oct 2014
    09270976 PAEDICARE AND SAFEGUARDING LIMITED 20 Oct 2014
    09271562 CITY HAND CAR WASH & VALETING LTD 20 Oct 2014
    09288216 SONIA BENCHIMOL LTD 30 Oct 2014
    09245660 SEE SHARP EYE EXCLUSIVE HEALTHCARE LTD 02 Oct 2014
    09255000 MERAA LTD 08 Oct 2014
    09258543 PROPERTY CARE CONSULTANTS LTD 10 Oct 2014
    09261552 LAZY FAN SPORTS LTD 13 Oct 2014
    09264249 UNH LTD 15 Oct 2014
    09269301 OLNEY BUSINESS CENTRE LTD 17 Oct 2014
    09271057 STEVE NIXON CONSULTANCY LIMITED 20 Oct 2014
    09289284 FLEET TYRES DIRECT LIMITED 31 Oct 2014
    09246811 TAILORED PHOTOGRAPHY LTD 02 Oct 2014
    09254600 SM & ST LIMITED 08 Oct 2014
    09260042 GEOLANG CERTIFICATION LTD 13 Oct 2014
    09260373 A SIPPS LIMITED 13 Oct 2014
    09260724 SELCO DISTRIBUTION LTD. 13 Oct 2014
    09274190 ROONEY CE LIMITED 21 Oct 2014
    09276693 RB CURRY EXPRESS LTD 23 Oct 2014