Business

Stay up to date with Business News in Bedford. Sign-up to our newsletter for regular updates.

Bedford’s diverse economy includes manufacturing, retail, hospitality, and service industries. The town has a highly skilled and educated workforce, with a strong focus on science and technology.

Excellent transport links to major cities like London, Cambridge, and Milton Keynes, and the town’s growing population, have helped Bedford’s develop a diverse economy. The successful businesses in the area range from healthcare services, hospitality, and retail to businesses that capitalise on Bedford’s strengths in science and technology, such as biotech or software development.

In recent years, businesses that rely on logistics, fulfilment & distribution have been making use of Bedford’s location.

Music lovers ‘gutted’ as Bedford’s Slide Record Shop announces closure

The owners of the "much-loved" Slide Record Shop in The Arcade in Bedford town centre have announced the independent store is closing down after serving local vinyl fans since 2017...

Wetherspoon expands to Kempston ahead of Universal Studios arrival

JD Wetherspoon has confirmed the purchase of the former Brewers Fayre site in Kempston, with plans to redevelop the building into Bedford Borough’s second Wetherspoon pub by September...

Bedford & Co. launches at The Arc to prove our town’s independent spirit is alive and kicking

We've all suffered the misfortune of hearing someone utter the phrase, “there’s nothing in Bedford"; but Gemma, the unstoppable force behind The Arc, is here to politely but firmly prove...

Councillors fear tourism tax could drive Universal visitors away

A ‘tourism tax’ targeting overnight visitors to the Universal theme park and resort near Bedford would be “the absolute last thing” the borough council needs to impose, a meeting heard...

Bedford Borough Council plans tourism strategy to capitalise on Universal’s £50bn economic impact

A tourism strategy is being developed to make the most of the Universal UK theme park’s “once-in-a-generation investment” to transform the borough. It’s part of a local visitor...

Withdrawal limits decoded: How to spot a casino that pays out without drama

Few things frustrate online casino players more than discovering a win cannot be withdrawn quickly, and limits sit at the heart of that frustration. Every licensed operator caps how much...

The transitional wardrobe: Navigating the unpredictable architecture of Spring

The first few weeks of a new season always bring a certain psychological friction. We find ourselves in that restless, liminal space where the calendar promises the rebirth of the city, yet the morning...

£70m investment in Bedford’s Eagle Brewery wins Spanish business award

The owners of Bedford's Eagle Brewery have won the Eduardo Barrachina Golden Award 2026 after a £70 million investment boosted local jobs and modernised the facility...

Bedford Business Expo to return to town’s International Athletics Stadium in 2026

Your Business Expo Bedfordshire is set to return to Bedford International Athletic Stadium this October, bringing local firms together for a day of networking, seminars and exhibitor showcases...

Funky Junction to close after 44 years on Bedford High Street

A menswear shop that has been at the heart of Bedford town centre since 1982 will officially close its doors this July, after trading for 44 years. After more than four decades, Funky Junction's...

Get the latest Bedford news first

Subscribe to our free daily email for our lead story each morning before we publish it anywhere else, plus the key Bedford Borough headlines from the last 24 hours – without having to log into social media.