These tables rank the 12 UK regions and nations by how many businesses they have for every 100,000 residents, for each of 12 industries. Counting per head makes a fair comparison between a large region and a small one.
Highest and lowest region for each industry
| Industry | Most per head | Per 100,000 | Fewest per head | Per 100,000 | UK overall, per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garages | South West | 87.9 | London | 44.3 | 73.3 |
| Pubs and bars | South West | 55.8 | London | 25.8 | 43.1 |
| Nurseries and childcare | Wales | 30.7 | North East | 14.1 | 20.5 |
| Pharmacies | London | 15.3 | South West | 4.7 | 9.4 |
| Vets | South West | 8.9 | North East | 3.3 | 5.5 |
| Funeral directors | Wales | 5.2 | London | 1.7 | 3.3 |
| Cafes | London | 68.8 | North East | 31.1 | 41.7 |
| Takeaways | North East | 80.4 | South East | 54.5 | 67.1 |
| Driving schools | London | 4.3 | Northern Ireland | 1.6 | 3.2 |
| Opticians | South East | 12.2 | South West | 4.6 | 7.4 |
| Travel agents | London | 19.1 | Northern Ireland | 3.6 | 8.3 |
| Architects | London | 43.7 | North East | 9.6 | 20.4 |
Select a column heading to sort.
Garages: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South West | 87.9 | 5,195 | +38.7% | Not in report |
| 2 | East of England | 86.5 | 5,720 | +48.4% | Not in report |
| 3 | East Midlands | 84.5 | 4,295 | +54.5% | Not in report |
| 4 | West Midlands | 82.5 | 5,120 | +58.5% | Not in report |
| 5 | Northern Ireland | 80.9 | 1,560 | +50.7% | Not in report |
| 6 | Wales | 79.8 | 2,535 | +36.7% | Not in report |
| 7 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 76.3 | 4,330 | +47.8% | Not in report |
| 8 | South East | 76.1 | 7,375 | +38.2% | Not in report |
| 9 | North West | 68.5 | 5,325 | +37.8% | Not in report |
| 10 | Scotland | 68.1 | 3,775 | +47.7% | Not in report |
| 11 | North East | 60.1 | 1,660 | +53.0% | Not in report |
| 12 | London | 44.3 | 4,040 | +49.1% | Not in report |
UK overall: 73.3 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito garages industry report.
Pubs and bars: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South West | 55.8 | 3,295 | -21.0% | -2.9% |
| 2 | Wales | 54.2 | 1,720 | -26.8% | -2.8% |
| 3 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 53.3 | 3,025 | -9.3% | +3.1% |
| 4 | East Midlands | 49.9 | 2,540 | -19.1% | -1.2% |
| 5 | North East | 49.4 | 1,365 | -4.9% | +2.2% |
| 6 | North West | 46.5 | 3,615 | -12.5% | +3.9% |
| 7 | West Midlands | 43.0 | 2,670 | -17.1% | -0.2% |
| 8 | South East | 40.4 | 3,915 | -21.2% | -1.0% |
| 9 | East of England | 40.1 | 2,650 | -21.0% | -2.0% |
| 10 | Scotland | 37.4 | 2,075 | -23.1% | -2.1% |
| 11 | Northern Ireland | 36.3 | 700 | -19.1% | -0.7% |
| 12 | London | 25.8 | 2,355 | -3.5% | +5.8% |
UK overall: 43.1 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito pubs and bars industry report.
Nurseries and childcare: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 30.7 | 975 | +87.5% | -5.8% |
| 2 | London | 25.8 | 2,355 | +94.6% | +14.9% |
| 3 | Northern Ireland | 23.6 | 455 | +59.6% | -4.2% |
| 4 | North West | 20.3 | 1,580 | +40.4% | +2.3% |
| 5 | East Midlands | 20.1 | 1,020 | +32.5% | +3.0% |
| 6 | East of England | 19.9 | 1,315 | +43.7% | +6.9% |
| 7 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 19.4 | 1,100 | +40.1% | -4.3% |
| 7 | South West | 19.4 | 1,145 | +13.9% | -3.4% |
| 9 | South East | 18.9 | 1,830 | +47.0% | +1.9% |
| 10 | West Midlands | 18.3 | 1,135 | +35.9% | +1.3% |
| 11 | Scotland | 16.8 | 930 | +17.0% | -2.6% |
| 12 | North East | 14.1 | 390 | +23.8% | +0.0% |
UK overall: 20.5 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito nurseries and childcare industry report.
Pharmacies: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 15.3 | 1,395 | +34.8% | +18.7% |
| 2 | West Midlands | 11.6 | 720 | +63.6% | +30.9% |
| 3 | Northern Ireland | 11.1 | 215 | -10.4% | -10.4% |
| 4 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 11.0 | 625 | +108.3% | +33.0% |
| 5 | North West | 10.8 | 840 | +75.0% | +36.6% |
| 6 | North East | 8.9 | 245 | +53.1% | +28.9% |
| 7 | East Midlands | 8.8 | 450 | +60.7% | +30.4% |
| 8 | Scotland | 8.2 | 455 | +28.2% | +28.2% |
| 9 | East of England | 8.1 | 535 | +44.6% | +17.6% |
| 10 | Wales | 6.3 | 200 | +0.0% | +0.0% |
| 11 | South East | 6.1 | 595 | +46.9% | +22.7% |
| 12 | South West | 4.7 | 280 | +30.2% | +27.3% |
UK overall: 9.4 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito pharmacies industry report.
Vets: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South West | 8.9 | 525 | +22.1% | -5.4% |
| 2 | Northern Ireland | 7.0 | 135 | +22.7% | +3.8% |
| 3 | East of England | 6.9 | 455 | +35.8% | +11.0% |
| 4 | South East | 6.7 | 650 | +25.0% | -3.0% |
| 5 | Wales | 6.0 | 190 | +18.8% | +0.0% |
| 6 | Scotland | 5.0 | 280 | -8.2% | -5.1% |
| 6 | East Midlands | 5.0 | 255 | +13.3% | -3.8% |
| 8 | West Midlands | 4.7 | 290 | +13.7% | +5.5% |
| 9 | North West | 4.6 | 360 | +20.0% | -12.2% |
| 10 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 4.5 | 255 | +21.4% | -7.3% |
| 11 | London | 3.4 | 310 | +26.5% | -1.6% |
| 12 | North East | 3.3 | 90 | +5.9% | -14.3% |
UK overall: 5.5 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito vets industry report.
Funeral directors: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wales | 5.2 | 165 | +73.7% | +6.5% |
| 1 | Northern Ireland | 5.2 | 100 | +53.8% | +11.1% |
| 3 | South West | 3.9 | 230 | +53.3% | +7.0% |
| 4 | North West | 3.7 | 290 | +45.0% | +9.4% |
| 5 | East Midlands | 3.6 | 185 | +94.7% | +23.3% |
| 5 | North East | 3.6 | 100 | +81.8% | +5.3% |
| 5 | Scotland | 3.6 | 200 | +48.1% | +0.0% |
| 8 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 3.3 | 185 | +42.3% | -2.6% |
| 9 | West Midlands | 3.1 | 195 | +62.5% | +18.2% |
| 10 | East of England | 2.9 | 195 | +69.6% | +18.2% |
| 11 | South East | 2.8 | 275 | +77.4% | +12.2% |
| 12 | London | 1.7 | 155 | +55.0% | +19.2% |
UK overall: 3.3 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito funeral directors industry report.
Cafes: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 68.8 | 6,280 | +150.7% | +20.7% |
| 2 | Northern Ireland | 50.6 | 975 | +74.1% | +14.7% |
| 3 | Scotland | 45.0 | 2,495 | +172.7% | +17.7% |
| 4 | South West | 41.1 | 2,425 | +116.5% | +15.8% |
| 5 | Wales | 40.6 | 1,290 | +118.6% | +7.5% |
| 6 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 40.5 | 2,295 | +178.2% | +11.4% |
| 7 | South East | 37.1 | 3,600 | +175.9% | +23.3% |
| 8 | East of England | 34.9 | 2,310 | +170.2% | +18.2% |
| 9 | North West | 34.3 | 2,665 | +166.5% | +14.6% |
| 10 | West Midlands | 33.5 | 2,080 | +222.5% | +19.2% |
| 11 | East Midlands | 33.0 | 1,680 | +177.7% | +7.3% |
| 12 | North East | 31.1 | 860 | +196.6% | +11.0% |
UK overall: 41.7 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito cafes industry report.
Takeaways: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North East | 80.4 | 2,220 | +81.2% | +7.0% |
| 2 | North West | 78.9 | 6,135 | +111.6% | +16.3% |
| 3 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 76.2 | 4,320 | +96.4% | +7.5% |
| 4 | Wales | 75.3 | 2,390 | +76.4% | +11.7% |
| 5 | London | 74.6 | 6,810 | +80.9% | +24.6% |
| 6 | Scotland | 72.1 | 4,000 | +51.2% | +9.6% |
| 7 | Northern Ireland | 69.0 | 1,330 | +51.1% | +7.3% |
| 8 | West Midlands | 63.2 | 3,925 | +64.6% | +14.1% |
| 9 | East Midlands | 61.8 | 3,145 | +72.3% | +14.8% |
| 10 | East of England | 56.6 | 3,745 | +46.9% | +16.8% |
| 11 | South West | 55.6 | 3,285 | +43.1% | +17.1% |
| 12 | South East | 54.5 | 5,285 | +49.7% | +17.4% |
UK overall: 67.1 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito takeaways industry report.
Driving schools: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 4.3 | 395 | +295.0% | +79.5% |
| 2 | East Midlands | 3.9 | 200 | +53.8% | -7.0% |
| 3 | East of England | 3.8 | 250 | +66.7% | +0.0% |
| 4 | West Midlands | 3.3 | 205 | +41.4% | +5.1% |
| 5 | South West | 3.2 | 190 | +58.3% | +18.8% |
| 6 | North West | 3.0 | 230 | +58.6% | +0.0% |
| 7 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 2.9 | 165 | +37.5% | +3.1% |
| 8 | South East | 2.8 | 270 | +58.8% | +22.7% |
| 9 | Scotland | 2.3 | 130 | +100.0% | +44.4% |
| 10 | Wales | 2.2 | 70 | +40.0% | -6.7% |
| 11 | North East | 2.0 | 55 | +22.2% | +10.0% |
| 12 | Northern Ireland | 1.6 | 30 | +20.0% | +20.0% |
UK overall: 3.2 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito driving schools industry report.
Opticians: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South East | 12.2 | 1,185 | +31.7% | +0.9% |
| 2 | Northern Ireland | 9.3 | 180 | +5.9% | +5.9% |
| 3 | London | 7.9 | 720 | +10.8% | -2.7% |
| 4 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 7.8 | 445 | +23.6% | +11.3% |
| 5 | North West | 7.5 | 580 | +7.4% | +6.4% |
| 6 | West Midlands | 7.3 | 450 | +11.1% | +0.0% |
| 7 | East Midlands | 6.2 | 315 | -4.5% | -4.5% |
| 8 | Scotland | 5.9 | 325 | -5.8% | -5.8% |
| 9 | North East | 5.2 | 145 | -3.3% | +3.6% |
| 9 | Wales | 5.2 | 165 | -13.2% | -8.3% |
| 11 | East of England | 5.0 | 330 | -16.5% | -9.6% |
| 12 | South West | 4.6 | 270 | -15.6% | -8.5% |
UK overall: 7.4 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito opticians industry report.
Travel agents: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 19.1 | 1,740 | +42.6% | +9.8% |
| 2 | South East | 8.3 | 805 | +34.2% | +10.3% |
| 3 | North West | 7.9 | 615 | +44.7% | +16.0% |
| 4 | West Midlands | 7.5 | 465 | +60.3% | +24.0% |
| 5 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 7.2 | 410 | +74.5% | +17.1% |
| 6 | East of England | 6.5 | 430 | +30.3% | +17.8% |
| 7 | East Midlands | 5.7 | 290 | +70.6% | +16.0% |
| 8 | South West | 5.6 | 330 | +43.5% | +17.9% |
| 9 | Scotland | 5.3 | 295 | +55.3% | +13.5% |
| 10 | Wales | 5.2 | 165 | +37.5% | +37.5% |
| 11 | North East | 4.3 | 120 | +50.0% | +26.3% |
| 12 | Northern Ireland | 3.6 | 70 | -17.6% | +0.0% |
UK overall: 8.3 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito travel agents industry report.
Architects: UK regions ranked
| Rank | Region or nation | Businesses per 100,000 residents | Businesses, March 2026 | Change since 2010 | Change since 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 43.7 | 3,990 | +75.0% | -3.2% |
| 2 | South East | 22.6 | 2,190 | +45.5% | -6.0% |
| 3 | South West | 21.3 | 1,260 | +50.9% | -1.2% |
| 4 | East of England | 20.0 | 1,325 | +55.0% | -6.4% |
| 4 | Northern Ireland | 20.0 | 385 | +2.7% | +11.6% |
| 6 | Scotland | 16.5 | 915 | +8.3% | -3.7% |
| 7 | Yorkshire and The Humber | 14.5 | 825 | +48.6% | -10.8% |
| 8 | East Midlands | 14.3 | 725 | +40.8% | -5.2% |
| 9 | North West | 13.8 | 1,075 | +40.5% | -5.7% |
| 10 | West Midlands | 13.4 | 830 | +33.9% | -6.7% |
| 11 | Wales | 11.7 | 370 | +27.6% | -7.5% |
| 12 | North East | 9.6 | 265 | +23.3% | -14.5% |
UK overall: 20.4 per 100,000 residents. Figures from the Whito architects industry report.
How this ranking works
What is measured
The number of businesses in an industry for every 100,000 people living in each UK region or nation, in March 2026.
Where the data comes from
Business counts: Office for National Statistics UK Business Counts, read through the official Nomis service. Residents: ONS mid-2025 population estimates.
How the ranking is worked out
For each industry, the business count in a region is divided by the number of residents and multiplied by 100,000. Regions are placed in order, highest first. The per-head figures are the ones printed in each Whito industry report.
When the data was collected
The counts are for March 2026. Whito read them on 12 and 13 November 2026.
What is included and left out
Included: the nine English regions, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for the 12 industries whose Whito report prints a regional table. Left out: industries without a regional table yet.
Limits
A business is counted where it is registered, which is not always where it trades: a chain with one head office counts once, in the head office region. Per-head figures do not show quality, price or how busy each business is. ONS rounds counts to the nearest five, which matters more in small regions.
Corrections
If a figure here is wrong, email hello@whito.co.uk or use the corrections page. Whito checks it against the source and fixes it free of charge.
Nobody can pay to appear in a Whito ranking, and nobody can pay to move up one. Paid listings and services have no effect on any ranking. Read how Whito makes money and the full rankings method.
Data sources
- Office for National Statistics, UK Business Counts, enterprises by industry code, March 2010 to March 2026, read through the Nomis service.
- Office for National Statistics, mid-2025 population estimates, read through Nomis, for the per-head figures.
- Whito industry reports, which carry each figure with its source and date: UK industries compared 2026 and UK trade businesses in 2026.
Editions
This is the first edition of this ranking, so there is no earlier edition to compare it with. When the next edition is published, this one will stay online and be linked from here.