Guildford Tops UK Locations To Start A Business

Guildford in Surrey, is the best place in England to start a new business in 2025, a new study has found.

The research was conducted by business energy experts Utility Bidder, who aimed to identify the best regions in the country for budding entrepreneurs to launch their businesses.

Experts at the energy company examined a range of factors such as GDP, business survival rates, internet speeds, local qualification rates, transport links, and office efficiency ratings to reveal the best and worst regions for UK entrepreneurs to start their businesses.

Guildford earned the highest score in the category of England’s Best Local Authority Areas for Starting a Business, taking the top spot with a score of 9.14/10 – significantly outperforming joint second place West Oxfordshire and Stratford-upon-Avon, both scoring 8.98/10, and Islington in London (8.32/10).

The Surrey town scored high due to its easy access to London, making business meetings and travel very convenient. This was particularly singled out as a key factor. The study also highlighted the “highly educated” workforce, many of whom are likely to be graduates from the University of Surrey.

Surrey Research Park: A Great Location for Businesses to Experience the Best of Guildford

If you’re looking to experience the benefits Guildford has to offer startups, then check out Surrey Research Park’s vibrant innovation community, which has been supporting teams to thrive and businesses to grow for the past 40 years.

Set in landscaped and rich biodiverse surroundings, we offer a range of space options for you to launch and grow your business. From co-working spaces in the Surrey Technology Centre and at Rocketdesk to versatile units up to 40,000 sq ft, the Park caters to a range of business needs.

Our spaces are ideal for fostering innovation in a setting that blends natural beauty with technological advancement. Plus, with flexible tenancy options and a supportive ecosystem, all underpinned by our connection to the University of Surrey, we offer more than just an address.

This includes unequalled networking and collaborations and access to funding opportunities, connections to top talent and facilities from the University of Surrey.

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Whether you’re a startup, scaling SME or large enterprise or prime, Surrey Research Park is a great way to experience the best of what Guildford has to offer businesses.