Specialised cleaning services

SIC 81222Section N: Administrative and support service activities|Data verified: 2026-04-17
7,429Active Companies
Section N: Administrative and support service activities
Division 81
SIC 81222

What is SIC Code 81222?

SIC code 81222 classifies businesses engaged in specialised cleaning services. There are 7,429 active companies registered under this code in the UK, forming a substantial sector within the national economy. It falls under Section N (Administrative and support service activities) 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 Specialised cleaning services industry page.

7,429
Active
14
Dissolved
8,771
Total
4.1y
Avg Age

Sector Analysis

With a 85% survival rate, this sector shows strong business longevity. Only 14 of 8,771 companies registered under this code have dissolved, well below the UK average. The average company age of 4.1 years suggests a relatively young and dynamic sector, with many businesses having been established in recent years. Growth has been exceptional recently: 78% of all active companies were formed since 2020, marking this as one of the fastest-expanding classifications. The 2010s contributed another 17%, meaning the vast majority of businesses are relatively new. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, GLASGOW — together account for just 17% of the sector.

Formation by Decade
17%
78%
Pre-1990: 14
1990s: 55
2000s: 307
2010s: 1,273
2020s: 5,780

Frequently Asked Questions about SIC 81222

What does SIC code 81222 mean?

SIC code 81222 stands for "Specialised cleaning services" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section N — Administrative and support service activities. 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.

How many UK companies use SIC code 81222?

There are currently 7,429 active companies registered under SIC code 81222 in the UK, out of 8,771 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 85%, meaning 15% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.

Where are most SIC 81222 companies located in the UK?

The top locations for specialised cleaning services companies (SIC 81222) are: LONDON (979), BIRMINGHAM (156), GLASGOW (141), MANCHESTER (128), NOTTINGHAM (80). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.

Is the specialised cleaning services sector growing or declining in the UK?

The sector is growing: 78% of currently active SIC 81222 companies were formed since 2020, and 17% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for specialised cleaning services services in the UK.

What is the typical company profile for SIC code 81222?

Companies classified under SIC 81222 have an average age of 4.1 years. This young average age reflects a sector with many recent market entrants and rapid turnover. Notable companies include JOHN FREDERICK LIMITED.

What SIC codes are similar to 81222?

Related SIC codes within the same division include: 81210 (General cleaning of buildings), 81300 (Landscape service activities), 81299 (Other cleaning services), 81100 (Combined facilities support 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.

How do I find companies registered under SIC code 81222?

You can search for companies with SIC code 81222 (Specialised cleaning services) 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.

Explore Companies Under SIC 81222

Search, filter, and analyse 7,429 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.