Lewes ranks 56th of 361 local authorities in the UK Local Growth Index, with a composite score of 1,017, placing it 17 points above the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Innovation, where it ranks 49th nationally. Scaling is the relative weak point, sitting just below the UK benchmark.
The composite score for Lewes is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a smaller authority with highly active companies can score above a much larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK benchmark is set at 1,000, so a score of 1,017 means companies in Lewes are somewhat more active across these measures than the UK as a whole. The likely range for this score is 996 to 1,038, which shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on.
South East
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 Lewes's composite score of 1,017 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
1,036
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+36 points against the UK · Likely range 1,002–1,070 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, R&D grant value, academic spinouts, and whether companies are tagged with innovative sectors or IS-8 sectors. Lewes ranks 49th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 36 points above the UK benchmark, and outperforms 86.4% of all authorities. That places it comfortably in the top 20% nationally for the innovative characteristics of its companies.
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
995
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−5 points against the UK · Likely range 965–1,025 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures scaleups, headcount growth and accelerator attendance. On this measure, Lewes ranks 186th of 360 authorities, sitting 5 points below the UK benchmark. Employee growth and high-growth signals among local companies are broadly in line with the national picture, though this is the area where Lewes trails its own performance on the other pillars.
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
1,000
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,040 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity recently, how much they have raised, and whether they are first-time equity raisers. Lewes scores level with the UK benchmark here, ranking 60th of 360 authorities and outperforming 83.3% of all authorities. That combination of a middle score and a high rank reflects how concentrated equity activity is in a small number of authorities at the very top.
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
1,078
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+78 points against the UK · Likely range 1,049–1,107 · 10% of the composite
The ESG pillar looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Lewes scores 1,078 on this pillar, 78 points above the UK benchmark, ranking 66th of 361 authorities and outperforming 81.7% of all authorities. Companies in Lewes show notably stronger ESG characteristics than the national average.
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 East Sussex
The chart below shows how Lewes compares with neighbouring authorities across the composite score and each pillar.
What is Lewes's score in the UK Local Growth Index?
Lewes has a composite score of 1,017, which is 17 points above the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 56th of 361 local authorities.
How does Lewes compare with the rest of East Sussex?
Lewes ranks 1st of 6 authorities in East Sussex, scoring 30 points above the county score of 987. The next highest in the county is Brighton and Hove, which scores 1,008.
How does Lewes rank in the South East region?
Lewes ranks 17th of 64 authorities in the South East, scoring 14 points above the regional score of 1,003.
Which pillar does Lewes score highest on?
Innovation is Lewes's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,036, placing it 49th of 361 authorities and 36 points above the UK benchmark.
How many companies are counted in Lewes's score?
The index counts 5,024 active companies in Lewes, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Lewes's score?
The likely range of 996 to 1,038 shows how much the composite score could move with a slightly different mix of companies. The score is published because that 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.
