Blackpool ranks 338th of 361 UK local authorities, with a composite score of 937, placing it 63 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits close to the national average, while Investment is a clear drag, ranking 358th of 360 authorities. Innovation and ESG also fall below the UK benchmark.
Blackpool's composite score of 937 is built from four pillars: Innovation, Scaling, Investment and ESG, weighted at 30%, 30%, 30% and 10% respectively.
Each score is averaged across the authority's active companies, with corporate groups counted once. That averaging means a place with fewer but more active companies can score as highly as a much larger economy, making this a fair basis for comparing authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Blackpool's 937 sits 63 points below that national reference point. The likely range of 924 to 950 shows how much the score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies, and 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 Blackpool's composite score of 937 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
916
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−84 points against the UK · Likely range 896–936 · 30% of the composite
Innovation captures patents, academic spinout status, R&D grant value, presence in innovative sectors and coverage of the eight IS-8 sectors. Blackpool ranks 351st of 361 authorities on this pillar, with a score of 916, placing it 84 points below the UK benchmark and outperforming only 2.8% of authorities. That result points to limited patent activity, R&D grant receipt and sector profile among its 6,180 active companies relative to the national picture.
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
997
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−3 points against the UK · Likely range 969–1,025 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies are scaleups, their annualised headcount growth over the latest four years of accounts and accelerator attendance. At 997, Blackpool's Scaling score is just 3 points below the UK benchmark, and it ranks 176th of 360 authorities. This is comfortably its strongest pillar, placing it in the middle of the national distribution and outperforming just over half of all authorities.
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
894
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−106 points against the UK · Likely range 869–919 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies raised equity in the last five years, the amount raised and whether a deal was a company's first ever equity raise. Blackpool ranks 358th of 360 authorities here, with a score of 894, sitting 106 points below the UK benchmark. That is the authority's weakest result by some margin, and it outperforms only 0.6% of authorities, reflecting very limited equity activity among its 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
950
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−50 points against the UK · Likely range 930–970 · 10% of the composite
ESG measures clean energy activity, other green activity, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit proxy status. Blackpool scores 950, which is 50 points below the UK benchmark, and ranks 328th of 361 authorities, outperforming 9.1% of the national total. The result indicates that signals of environmental and social activity are relatively sparse across the authority's company base.
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 Blackpool's composite score with those of neighbouring authorities in Lancashire.
Blackpool's composite score is 937, placing it 63 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000. It ranks 338th of 361 local authorities.
How does Blackpool compare with the rest of Lancashire?
Blackpool scores 937, which is 23 points below the Lancashire county score of 960. It ranks 14th out of 14 authorities in the county.
Which pillar is Blackpool's strongest?
Scaling is Blackpool's strongest pillar, with a score of 997, just 3 points below the UK benchmark. It ranks 176th of 360 authorities on this measure.
Where does Blackpool rank on Investment?
Blackpool ranks 358th of 360 authorities on Investment, with a score of 894, sitting 106 points below the UK benchmark. This is its weakest pillar.
How many companies are counted in Blackpool's score?
The index counts 6,180 active companies in Blackpool, with corporate groups counted once rather than as each of their registered entities.
What does the likely range mean for Blackpool's score?
The likely range of 924 to 950 shows how much Blackpool's composite score could shift with a slightly different mix of companies. The score is only published because that range is narrow enough to rely on.
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.
