Pendle scores 942 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 321st of 361 UK local authorities and 58 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest pillar is ESG, which sits closest to the UK average, while Scaling is its weakest, ranking 334th of 360 authorities. All four pillar scores are published, giving a reliable picture of Pendle's business economy.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each 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 fairly.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Pendle's 942 places it 58 points below that national benchmark, based on 4,742 active companies. The likely range of 926 to 958 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.
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 Pendle's composite score of 942 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
944
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−56 points against the UK · Likely range 921–967 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinouts, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector tags. Pendle ranks 281st of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 944, which is 56 points below the UK benchmark, and outperforms only 22.2% of authorities.
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
951
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−49 points against the UK · Likely range 919–983 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and whether they have attended an accelerator. At 334th of 360 authorities and 49 points below the UK, this is Pendle's weakest pillar, with only 7.2% of authorities scoring lower.
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
917
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−83 points against the UK · Likely range 885–949 · 30% of the composite
Investment reflects equity-raising activity: whether companies raised equity in the last five years, how much they raised and whether they were first-time raisers in that period. Pendle ranks 294th of 360 authorities here, scoring 917, which is 83 points below the UK benchmark and the largest gap to the national average of any of its pillars.
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
986
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−14 points against the UK · Likely range 960–1,012 · 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 986, Pendle is only 14 points below the UK benchmark on this pillar, ranking 258th of 361 authorities and outperforming 28.5% of them. This is Pendle's strongest result relative to the UK.
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 compares Pendle's composite score of 942 with its Lancashire neighbours, where Pendle sits 18 points below the county average of 960 and ranks 13th of 14 Lancashire authorities.
Pendle scores 942 on the Local Growth Index, placing it 321st of 361 UK local authorities. That is 58 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Pendle compare with the rest of Lancashire?
Pendle ranks 13th of 14 Lancashire authorities, scoring 18 points below the county average of 960. Lancaster is the county's highest-scoring authority at 1,025.
How does Pendle compare with the North West region?
Pendle ranks 28th of 35 North West authorities and scores 31 points below the regional average of 973.
Which pillar is Pendle strongest on?
ESG is Pendle's strongest pillar, scoring 986, just 14 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 258th of 361 authorities on this measure.
Which pillar is Pendle weakest on?
Scaling is Pendle's weakest pillar, ranking 334th of 360 authorities and scoring 49 points below the UK benchmark. Only 7.2% of authorities score lower.
How many companies are counted in Pendle's score?
The index is based on 4,742 active companies in Pendle, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate 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.
