Summary
Business formation across Greater Manchester is recovering following Companies House reforms and fee increases introduced under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. Manchester remains the entrepreneurial hub of the North West, with professional, creative, technology and property-related sectors driving registrations. Growth is spreading beyond the city centre, with founders establishing companies across Bolton, Salford, Stockport, Bury, Rochdale and Wigan.
National data reveals UK company incorporations totalled 801,864 in the year to March 2025, down 10% year-on-year due to regulatory transition, but Q3 2025 showed a 12.68% quarterly increase. Business closures declined 3.6% in Q4 2025 compared with the prior year, suggesting improved resilience across nine of sixteen major industrial sectors.
The twin trends of rising formations and falling closures indicate the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem remains healthy despite economic uncertainty. Founders are adapting to stronger compliance requirements and establishing businesses with greater emphasis on governance and long-term sustainability, reinforcing Greater Manchester's position as a centre for business creation.
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Common questions
- What is this article about?
- New analysis shows Greater Manchester's entrepreneurial activity is strengthening, with Manchester generating more new business registrations than any other borough in the region during the first half of 2026. UK-wide, business incorporations grew 12.68% in Q3 2025 despite regulatory changes, while closures fell 3.6% year-on-year.
- When was this published?
- This article was published on 8 July 2026.
- Who published this article?
- This article was published by Business Manchester.