Manchester and Birmingham are similarly sized business centres with 98,153 and 88,677 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.
Manchester has 98,153 active companies compared to 88,677 in Birmingham — 9,476 more.
Birmingham has a higher 2020s company formation rate (64.2%) compared to Manchester (64.2%).
Both cities share these top industries: Activities of other holding companies n.e.c., Buying and selling of own real estate, Management consultancy activities other than financial management, Other business support service activities n.e.c., Other human health activities. Manchester is uniquely strong in Dormant Company and Information technology consultancy activities, while Birmingham stands out in Freight transport by road and Take-away food shops and mobile food stands.