Guildford A Top Location To Start A Business, Study Shows

Published on: 16 Apr, 2025
Updated on: 17 Apr, 2025

What the study showed

Guildford has been named as the best English location outside London for starting a business in 2025.

A study, conducted by business energy experts Utility Bidder, analysed factors such as GDP, business survival rates, transport links and office efficiency ratings to reveal the best and worst regions for UK entrepreneurs to start their businesses. The study also looked at Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish regions.

Guildford earned a score of 9.14/10. The study noted that Guildford offers easy access to London, making business meetings and travel very convenient, and that there is plenty of office space and a “highly educated” workforce.

In second place is West Oxfordshire and Stratford-upon-Avon, both scoring 8.98/10. The study results point out that West Oxfordshire has a strong five-year business survival rate of 52.5% and an employment rate of 86.5%. Stratford-upon-Avon has a relatively high GDP per capita at £40,681, a five-year business survival rate of 48.3%, and an educated workforce, with more than 33% of the population holding level four qualifications or higher.

The study also revealed the following:

The capital city of Edinburgh is the best place in Scotland to start a business, earning an overall score of 8.20 out of 10. Cardiff is the best region to start a business in Wales, and Lisburn and Castlereagh takes the top spots in Northern Ireland.

The most energy-efficient region in England is Wokingham, with over 70% of its non-domestic properties earning an energy efficiency rating of A+, A or B.

Wyre Forest, in Worcestershire, has the highest employment rate in the country at 88.8%, indicating a strong local economy, while West Devon saw the highest five-year business survival rate of 59.0%.