Bristol has 18,295 registered businesses. Professional services are 14.1% of them and software and IT 5.8%, both above the UK average and unlike the trades-heavy South West around it.
We do not have an office, staff or events in Bristol.
The local business mix
Wholesale is just 2.5%, so our Linnworks wholesale tools fit few Bristol businesses. The city’s mix points to quoting, proposals and client admin.
| Sector | Businesses | Share | South West | UK | vs UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All businesses | 18,295 | 100% | — | — | |
| Fewer than 10 staff | 15,875 | 86.8% | 88.9% | 89.1% | |
| Construction and specialist trades | 2,165 | 11.8% | 15.1% | 14.1% | below |
| Cleaning, facilities and landscaping | 300 | 1.6% | 2.3% | 2.0% | below |
| Wholesale | 465 | 2.5% | 2.8% | 3.6% | below |
| Retail | 1,310 | 7.2% | 6.8% | 7.7% | about the same |
| Motor trade and repair | 475 | 2.6% | 3.3% | 3.0% | below |
| Hotels, pubs, cafés and restaurants | 1,355 | 7.4% | 7.2% | 6.5% | above |
| Professional services (legal, accounting, consultancy, architects, marketing) | 2,575 | 14.1% | 10.9% | 12.3% | above |
| Software and IT services | 1,060 | 5.8% | 3.8% | 4.4% | above |
Source: ONS UK Business Counts 2026, via Nomis, March 2026, local authority area. About these figures.
What fits here, and why
Ordered by how many local businesses each is likely to suit.
No. Grafto is run from Suffolk, where Green & Home Ltd has its warehouse in Mildenhall (registered office: Hertford). We work with businesses in Bristol remotely: the AI Tools Report, the apps and support are all online or by email. Our only in-person events are in Bury St Edmunds.
It depends on what you do, but on the local mix we would usually start with AI Tools Report. Ten minutes of questions, then a costed nine-slide plan: which jobs AI can take off you, which tools, what they cost. £59.99 inc VAT.
From the Office for National Statistics’ UK Business Counts for 2026, published through Nomis. They count 18,295 enterprises registered for VAT and/or PAYE in Bristol, so very small unregistered sole traders are not included.
Nearby
Bristol is part of the South West.
Other cities: Birmingham · Manchester · Leeds. Or see everywhere we work.
Ten minutes of questions, then a costed plan for your business, wherever in the UK it is. £59.99 inc VAT.
Get my AI Tools Report →Questions first? Email hello@grafto.co.uk.