Performing arts: UK companies
18,809 live UK companies list performing arts as their main trade, or 0.3% of the register. It ranks 52nd among the 60 trades we cover. 2,392 of those companies were formed in 2025, against 577 still live from 2015. 1,019 (5.4%) have a proposal to strike off on file, below the UK figure of 7.3%.
Where they're registered
Where this trade is unusually common
The town's share of this trade, compared with its share of all UK companies.
By year formed
Only companies still live are counted, so older years look smaller. 2026 stops on 1 November 2026.
20122026
See every year as a table
| Year | Live companies |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 363 |
| 2013 | 447 |
| 2014 | 519 |
| 2015 | 577 |
| 2016 | 590 |
| 2017 | 790 |
| 2018 | 928 |
| 2019 | 1,087 |
| 2020 | 819 |
| 2021 | 1,014 |
| 2022 | 1,257 |
| 2023 | 1,574 |
| 2024 | 1,780 |
| 2025 | 2,392 |
| 2026 | 2,060 |
Oldest active companies in this trade
- London Symphony OrchestraFormed 1905
- Royal Liverpool Philharmonic SocietyFormed 1906
- Hastings Musical FestivalFormed 1920
- London Welsh CentreFormed 1925
- Theatre Royal HaymarketFormed 1929
Related by size
- Hotels and similar accommodation
- Other food services
- Dental practice activities
- Other software publishing
- Landscape service activities
- Architectural activities
Trade means the first Standard Industrial Classification code (SIC 90010) a company declares. Companies choose their own codes. Figures come from Companies House on 1 November 2026.