Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole scores 975 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 185th of 361 local authorities and 25 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is Investment, where it ranks 140th nationally and outperforms 61.1% of authorities. ESG is the only pillar where it scores above the UK benchmark, sitting 15 points above it.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in an area, with corporate groups counted once. Because each score is an average across those companies rather than a total, authorities with very different numbers of businesses can be compared on equal terms.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000 by design, so Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's score of 975 sits a modest distance below that benchmark. Each score also comes with a likely range, which shows how much it could shift with a slightly different mix of companies; a score is only published when that range is narrow enough to rely on, and for this authority all four pillar scores meet that test.
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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's composite score of 975 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
971
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−29 points against the UK · Likely range 961–981 · 30% of the composite
Innovation covers patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector membership. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole scores 971 here, 29 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 183rd of 361 authorities. It outperforms 49.3% of authorities on this pillar, placing it very close to the national midpoint.
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
984
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−16 points against the UK · Likely range 970–998 · 30% of the composite
The Scaling pillar captures scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation. At 984, this authority's Scaling score is 16 points below the UK benchmark and ranks 232nd of 360, making it the weakest of the four pillars relative to peers; it outperforms only 35.6% of authorities on this measure.
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
956
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−44 points against the UK · Likely range 940–972 · 30% of the composite
Investment looks at whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether any were first-time raisers. With a score of 956, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole ranks 140th of 360 on this pillar and outperforms 61.1% of authorities, making Investment its strongest area despite sitting 44 points below the UK benchmark in absolute terms.
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
1,015
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+15 points against the UK · Likely range 1,004–1,026 · 10% of the composite
ESG covers clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and a not-for-profit proxy. At 1,015, this is the only pillar where Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole scores above the UK benchmark, sitting 15 points above it and ranking 168th of 361 authorities.
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 Dorset
The chart below shows how Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's composite score of 975 compares with neighbouring authorities in Dorset.
What is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's Local Growth Index score?
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole scores 975 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 185th of 361 local authorities. The UK benchmark is 1,000, so the authority sits 25 points below it.
How does Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole rank in the South West?
It ranks 20th of 27 authorities in the South West region, which itself scores 1,006, placing Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 31 points below the regional figure.
How does Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole compare with the rest of Dorset?
It ranks 1st of 2 authorities in Dorset, scoring 975 against the county score of 974, just 1 point above it.
Which pillar is strongest for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
Investment is its strongest pillar by national rank, placing 140th of 360 authorities and outperforming 61.1% of them. This pillar measures equity raising activity among local companies.
Where does Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole perform weakest?
Scaling is the weakest pillar, ranking 232nd of 360 authorities. It covers scaleup status, headcount growth and accelerator participation, and the authority outperforms only 35.6% of others on this measure.
How many companies are counted in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's score?
The score is based on 25,980 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
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.
