Sheffield and Reading are similarly sized business centres with 33,989 and 23,946 active companies respectively. This close match makes their industry mix, growth trajectory, and formation history all the more interesting to compare. Both cities share strength in Activities of other holding companies n.e.c. and Buying and selling of own real estate.
Sheffield has 33,989 active companies compared to 23,946 in Reading — 10,043 more.
Sheffield has a higher 2020s company formation rate (60.5%) compared to Reading (55.0%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Information technology consultancy activities, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c.. Sheffield is uniquely strong in Development of building projects and Dormant Company, while Reading stands out in Business and domestic software development and Other information technology service activities.