Leeds has 29,830 registered businesses. Professional services are 13.4% of them and software and IT 5.3%, both above the UK average and well above the region as a whole (10.2% and 3.1%).
We do not have an office, staff or events in Leeds.
The local business mix
Construction, at 12.9%, is a little below the UK share. Leeds is the office end of its region, which changes where we would start.
| Sector | Businesses | Share | Yorkshire and the Humber | UK | vs UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All businesses | 29,830 | 100% | — | — | |
| Fewer than 10 staff | 25,985 | 87.1% | 88.2% | 89.1% | |
| Construction and specialist trades | 3,850 | 12.9% | 13.9% | 14.1% | about the same |
| Cleaning, facilities and landscaping | 640 | 2.1% | 1.9% | 2.0% | about the same |
| Wholesale | 1,070 | 3.6% | 3.9% | 3.6% | about the same |
| Retail | 2,480 | 8.3% | 8.7% | 7.7% | about the same |
| Motor trade and repair | 865 | 2.9% | 3.9% | 3.0% | about the same |
| Hotels, pubs, cafés and restaurants | 2,025 | 6.8% | 7.7% | 6.5% | about the same |
| Professional services (legal, accounting, consultancy, architects, marketing) | 4,005 | 13.4% | 10.2% | 12.3% | about the same |
| Software and IT services | 1,570 | 5.3% | 3.1% | 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.
For the 4,005 professional-services firms: where the hours go, and which tools take them back.
Find out more →Quote follow-up for consultancies, agencies and trades on Xero or QuickBooks.
Find out more →For the 1,570 software and IT firms building for Linnworks clients.
Find out more →For the 3,850 construction and trade businesses.
Find out more →No. Grafto is run from Suffolk, where Green & Home Ltd has its warehouse in Mildenhall (registered office: Hertford). We work with businesses in Leeds 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 29,830 enterprises registered for VAT and/or PAYE in Leeds, so very small unregistered sole traders are not included.
Nearby
Leeds is part of Yorkshire and the Humber.
Other cities: Birmingham · Manchester · Glasgow. 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.