Cheltenham ranks 50th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score 22 points above the UK benchmark. All four pillars sit above the UK average, and the authority places in the top 20% nationally on Innovation, Scaling and Investment. Its strongest relative position is on Investment, where it ranks 46th of 360.
Cheltenham's composite score is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each area, with corporate groups counted once. Because the score is averaged across those companies, it reflects how active local businesses are rather than the sheer size of the local economy, which makes it a fair comparison between authorities of very different scales.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Cheltenham's composite score of 1,022 places it above that benchmark by 22 points. The likely range of 1,005 to 1,039 shows how much the score could move with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South West
Each dot shows the pillar score on a scale where the UK as a whole scores 1,000, marked by the line. The paler band is the likely range. The composite weights Innovation, Scaling and Investment 30% each and ESG 10%.
How Cheltenham's composite score of 1,022 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,026
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+26 points against the UK · Likely range 1,005–1,047 · 30% of the composite
Innovation is measured through granted patent families filed in the last 20 years, R&D grant value, academic spinout status, presence in innovative sectors, and coverage across the IS-8 sectors. Cheltenham's Innovation score of 1,026 sits 26 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 62nd of 361 authorities and within the top 20% nationally, suggesting companies here are meaningfully more active on these innovation measures than the UK average.
Tagged with any industry or buzzword on a curated list of innovative sectors, for example chips, biotechnology, quantum, AI, data, SaaS, FinTech and CleanTech. About 2.5% of companies.
Tagged with any of the eight IS-8 sectors: advanced manufacturing, clean energy, creative industries, digital and technologies, financial services, life sciences, professional and business services, and defence. About 18% of companies.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Scaling
1,023
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+23 points against the UK · Likely range 996–1,050 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are high-growth scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts, and whether they have attended an accelerator. On this pillar, Cheltenham ranks 67th of 360 authorities, 23 points above the UK benchmark, again placing it in the top 20% and indicating that companies in the area are adding staff at a rate noticeably ahead of the national average.
Annualised three-year employee growth rate over the latest four years of accounts, including group accounts, for companies with five or more employees at the start (capped). All other companies count as zero.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Investment
1,014
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+14 points against the UK · Likely range 980–1,048 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether their first-ever equity deal was in that period. This is Cheltenham's strongest pillar by national rank: 46th of 360 authorities and 14 points above the UK benchmark, with companies here outperforming 87.2% of all authorities on equity activity.
Whether the company's first equity deal ever was in the last five years. A first-time raiser always counts as an equity raiser too.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
ESG
1,028
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+28 points against the UK · Likely range 1,007–1,049 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar reflects clean energy and other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Cheltenham scores 1,028 on ESG, 28 points above the UK benchmark, though at 130th of 361 authorities this is its lowest-ranked pillar. Companies here are above the national average on these measures, but the relative position across authorities is more modest than on the other three pillars.
Is limited by guarantee without share capital, a rough indicator of non-profit status.
We publish a score for each pillar, not for the measures inside it. The percentage beside each measure is how much it counts towards the pillar score. Select the lock to see the companies behind a measure on the Beauhurst platform.
Compared to Gloucestershire
The chart below shows how Cheltenham's composite score and pillar scores compare with neighbouring authorities in Gloucestershire.
What is Cheltenham's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Cheltenham has a composite score of 1,022, placing it 50th of 361 local authorities and 22 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Cheltenham compare with the rest of Gloucestershire?
Cheltenham's composite score of 1,022 is 5 points above the Gloucestershire average of 1,017, and it ranks 4th of the 7 authorities in the county.
How does Cheltenham compare with the South West region?
Cheltenham sits 16 points above the South West regional average of 1,006 and ranks 7th of the 27 authorities in the region.
Which pillar is Cheltenham's strongest?
Investment is Cheltenham's strongest pillar by national rank, at 46th of 360 authorities. It measures equity-raising activity among local companies over the last five years.
How many active companies does the Cheltenham score cover?
The index covers 8,103 active companies in Cheltenham, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
What does the likely range on Cheltenham's score mean?
The likely range of 1,005 to 1,039 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies in the area. Scores are only published when this range is narrow enough to rely on.
Explore the data behind the index
Every score on this page is built from real, named company activity, patent filings, fundraisings, spinouts and scaleups. Book a call to see the data behind any authority's score, and how Beauhurst can support your work.
