INSIGHTS - APRIL 2024

UK Cultural Activities Industry

UK Cultural Activities Industry Information

This culture industry includes the activities of libraries and archives, the operation of museums, botanical and zoological gardens, historical sites and nature reserves. It also involves the preservation objects and sites of cultural or educational interest.

Active Businesses

3,873

Annual Sales

£3bn +

Employees

43,946

Economic Contribution 

£1bn

Tags

Location of Cultural Activities Companies

Cultural Activities Companies by Size

72% Micro

22% Small

4% Mid

1% Large

0% Mega

Cultural Activities Companies by Age
Fastest Growing Cultural Activities Companies

43% Declining

18% Healthy

16% Rapid

12% High

11% Low

Cultural Activities Industry Competitive Environment - New Entrants vs Leavers

Cultural Activities Industry Valuation

EBITDA Multiple

Cultural Activities Industry Valuation

Turnover Multiple

Cultural Activities Industry Valuation

Net Asset Multiple

Note - from March 2020 multiples are calculated monthly, prior to this they were calculated on an annual basis.
UK Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities Industry Insights

There are 3,873 active Businesses in the UK with combined annual sales of £3 billion .

The Industry employs around 43,946 people and contributes £1 billion to the economy.

The most popular location for Cultural Activities companies is London with 714 and the fewest are located in Northern Ireland with 87.

The largest Cultural Activities company is Merlin Attractions Operations Limited with a turnover of £534.6m. 72% of the industry is comprised of Micro companies with only 4% Mid companies.

13% of the Cultural Activities Industry is made up of 13% Startup but the majority are Mature businesses (40%) the oldest company is The Palestine Exploration Fund founded in 1879.

Cultural Activities industry has a number of high growth companies (12%), the fastest growing company is The Bronte Society with a 3 year growth rate of 77%. Other fast growing companies include Arundel Castle Trustees Limited (75%), Tyndale House (71%) and The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre Limited (66%).

The UK Cultural Activities Industry’s valuation has been improving over the past 3 years with a current EBITDA multiple of 17.39x, Turnover multiple of 4.13x and a Net Asset multiple of 4.76x.