Preston scores 943 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 320th of 361 local authorities and 57 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It sits 17 points below the Lancashire average and 30 points below the North West regional average. Across all four pillars, Preston's scores fall below the UK benchmark.
Each score is averaged across the area's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That approach means a place with fewer but more active companies can score higher than a larger economy with more inert ones, making the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Preston's score of 943 places it below the national benchmark. Every score also has a likely range, which shows how much the result could move with a slightly different mix of companies. A score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and Preston's range of 932 to 954 meets that threshold.
North 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 Preston's composite score of 943 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
944
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−56 points against the UK · Likely range 929–959 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors, and activity across the IS-8 sectors. Preston's Innovation score of 944 sits 56 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 283rd of 361 authorities. It outperforms 21.6% of authorities on this pillar, indicating limited relative activity in innovation signals across 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
959
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−41 points against the UK · Likely range 939–979 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years, and whether they have attended an accelerator. Preston ranks 317th of 360 authorities on Scaling, 41 points below the UK benchmark, outperforming only 11.9% of authorities. That places it among the lower-performing authorities nationally on the pace at which its companies are adding staff and reaching high-growth thresholds.
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
924
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−76 points against the UK · Likely range 902–946 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised, and whether they were first-time raisers. With a score of 924, Investment is Preston's highest-performing pillar relative to the others, ranking 269th of 360 authorities and outperforming 25.3% of authorities. It still sits 76 points below the UK benchmark, the largest gap of any pillar for Preston.
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
945
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−55 points against the UK · Likely range 930–960 · 10% of the composite
ESG looks at clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Preston ranks 341st of 361 authorities on ESG, outperforming just 5.5% of authorities nationally. At 55 points below the UK benchmark, this is Preston's lowest-ranked pillar and reflects comparatively low levels of ESG-related signals among its companies.
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 Lancashire
The chart below shows how Preston's composite score of 943 compares with its neighbouring authorities in Lancashire and the wider North West.
What is Preston's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Preston scores 943 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 320th of 361 local authorities. The UK benchmark is 1,000, so Preston sits 57 points below the national average.
How does Preston compare with the rest of Lancashire?
Preston ranks 12th of 14 authorities in Lancashire and scores 17 points below the county average of 960. Lancaster, the county's top performer, scores 1,025.
How does Preston rank in the North West?
Preston ranks 27th of 35 authorities in the North West region, scoring 30 points below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Preston strongest on?
Investment is Preston's highest-ranking pillar relative to the other three, at 269th of 360 authorities, though it still sits 76 points below the UK benchmark.
How many active companies does Preston have in the index?
The index covers 11,135 active companies in Preston, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the likely range on Preston's score mean?
Preston's likely range of 932 to 954 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 be reliable.
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.
