Bedfordshire has seen a record-breaking rise in registered businesses, with new figures showing that 2024 marked the highest total ever recorded in the county, despite economic challenges faced by many industries.
Data from the Inform Direct Review of Company Formations, based on Companies House and Office for National Statistics figures, reveals that Bedfordshire ended 2024 with 53,808 registered companies, up from 52,721 at the close of 2023.
Over the past year, 8,251 new businesses were launched across the county.
Luton saw the highest number of new company registrations, with 4,327 businesses formed. Central Bedfordshire followed this with 2,136 new companies and Bedford with 1,772.
This growth mirrors a national trend, with the UK reaching a record 5,637,210 companies registered by the end of 2024, an increase from 5,476,772 the previous year.
Nationally, there were 848,192 new company formations and 690,501 company dissolutions throughout the year.
John Korchak, Managing Director at Inform Direct, said: “It is really good news that Bedfordshire can celebrate a record number of companies.
“The year undoubtedly presented a range of challenges for business with the uncertainty of the General Election, the introduction of new regulations and concerns over Labour’s first Budget in October which included the increase in employer National Insurance.
“World events also played a part in economic volatility with the US Election and instability in the Middle East high up on the list.
“Despite all these factors, businesspeople in Bedfordshire demonstrated great resilience and inspired leadership, evidenced in this successful result.”
