Warrington scores 979 on the UK Local Growth Index, placing it 167th of 361 local authorities and 21 points below the UK benchmark. Its strongest result is on Scaling, where it sits in the top quarter of all authorities. Investment is the area where it trails the UK most noticeably.
The index measures the characteristics of active companies in each authority, with corporate groups counted once. Because scores are averaged across those companies rather than totalled, a smaller authority with highly active businesses can rank alongside a much larger one, making this a fair comparison across authorities of very different sizes.
The UK as a whole scores 1,000, so Warrington's score of 979 sits just below that benchmark. Each score also comes with a likely range, here 969 to 989 for the composite, which shows how much the score could shift 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 Warrington's composite score of 979 is built up, pillar by pillar.
Innovation
979
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−21 points against the UK · Likely range 965–993 · 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. Warrington scores 979 on this pillar, 21 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 158th of 361 authorities and placing it in the top half nationally. Its companies broadly match the UK on innovation activity, though there is room to close the gap.
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
1,019
Above average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
+19 points against the UK · Likely range 1,002–1,036 · 30% of the composite
Scaling measures whether companies qualify as scaleups, their headcount growth over recent years and accelerator attendance. At 1,019, Warrington ranks 78th of 360 authorities and sits 19 points above the UK benchmark, placing it in the top quarter. Its companies are adding staff at a faster rate than the UK average, making this the authority's clearest competitive strength.
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
939
Average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−61 points against the UK · Likely range 920–958 · 30% of the composite
Investment covers whether companies have raised equity in the last five years, the value of that equity and whether they are first-time raisers. Warrington's score of 939 is 61 points below the UK benchmark, ranking 199th of 360 authorities. This is the widest gap to the UK across all four pillars, suggesting equity financing activity among local companies is relatively limited compared with the national picture.
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
973
Well below average nationally
800UK 1,0001,700+
−27 points against the UK · Likely range 959–987 · 10% of the composite
ESG reflects activity in clean energy, other green sectors, environmental accolades, social and governance signals, and not-for-profit status. Warrington ranks 290th of 361 authorities on this pillar, scoring 973 and sitting 27 points below the UK benchmark. It outperforms fewer than one in five authorities on ESG, making this the area where Warrington trails most of the country.
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 Cheshire
The chart below shows how Warrington's composite score of 979 compares with its neighbours across Cheshire and the wider North West.
What is Warrington's score on the UK Local Growth Index?
Warrington scores 979, placing it 167th of 361 local authorities and 21 points below the UK benchmark of 1,000.
How does Warrington compare with the rest of Cheshire?
Warrington ranks 4th of 4 authorities in Cheshire, scoring 19 points below the county score of 998. The highest-scoring Cheshire authority is Halton, at 1,080.
How does Warrington compare with the North West region?
Warrington ranks 7th of 35 authorities in the North West and scores 6 points above the regional score of 973.
Which pillar is Warrington strongest on?
Scaling is Warrington's strongest pillar. Its score of 1,019 places it 78th of 360 authorities, 19 points above the UK benchmark and in the top quarter nationally.
Where does Warrington perform weakest on the index?
ESG is Warrington's lowest-ranked pillar, at 290th of 361 authorities and 27 points below the UK benchmark. Investment is where the gap to the UK is largest in points, at 61 below.
How many companies are counted in Warrington's score?
The score is based on 17,081 active companies, with corporate groups counted once rather than as individual registered entities.
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.
