South Ribble scores 963 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 245th of 361 local authorities and 37 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it ranks 69th nationally, well above the UK average. Investment is the area where it trails most sharply, sitting near the bottom of all authorities.
Each score is an average across a place's companies, which means a smaller authority with highly active businesses can outscore a larger one. That makes the index a fair comparison between authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so South Ribble's 963 puts it modestly below the national benchmark. The likely range for this score is 947 to 979, showing how far 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.
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 South Ribble's composite score of 963 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
955
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−45 points against the UK · Likely range 933–977 · 30% of the composite
Innovation measures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, innovative sector tags and IS-8 sector presence. South Ribble scores 955 here, 45 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 242nd of 361 authorities. This puts it in the bottom quarter nationally on innovation activity, suggesting relatively limited R&D grant receipts and patent activity among 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
1,023
Well above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+23 points against the UK · Likely range 988–1,058 · 30% of the composite
Scaling captures whether companies are scaleups, their headcount growth rates and accelerator attendance. South Ribble scores 1,023 on this pillar, 23 points above the UK benchmark, placing it 69th of 360 authorities. That puts it in the top fifth nationally, indicating that companies here are adding staff at a noticeably faster rate than the UK 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
899
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−101 points against the UK · Likely range 871–927 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers equity raisers, the value of equity raised and first-time raisers, all in the last five years. South Ribble ranks 351st of 360 authorities with a score of 899, which is 101 points below the UK benchmark. Very few authorities score lower, pointing to a notably thin equity funding market among the district's companies.
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
1,000
Below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
±0 points against the UK · Likely range 974–1,026 · 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. South Ribble scores 1,000 on this pillar, exactly level with the UK benchmark, ranking 217th of 361 authorities. Its ESG performance is in line with the national average across these measures.
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 South Ribble's composite score against neighbouring authorities in Lancashire.
What is South Ribble's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
South Ribble scores 963, placing it 245th of 361 local authorities. That is 37 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does South Ribble compare to the rest of Lancashire?
South Ribble ranks 6th of 14 authorities in Lancashire and scores 3 points above the county average of 960. The county runner-up, Lancaster, scores 1,025.
Which pillar is South Ribble strongest on?
Scaling is South Ribble's strongest pillar, with a score of 1,023, ranking 69th of 360 authorities. That is 23 points above the UK benchmark.
Why does South Ribble score so low on Investment?
South Ribble's Investment score of 899 is 101 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 351st of 360 authorities. Investment measures equity raised and equity-raising activity among local companies in the last five years, and very few authorities score lower.
How many companies are included in South Ribble's index score?
The score covers 5,344 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as separate registered entities.
What does the UK benchmark of 1,000 mean?
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so any authority above 1,000 is performing above the national average and any below it is behind. South Ribble's 963 puts it modestly below that benchmark.
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.
