72% Micro
22% Small
4% Mid
1% Large
0% Mega
INSIGHTS - MARCH 2025
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
3,868
Annual Sales
£3bn +
Employees
45,072
Economic Contribution
£2bn
Tags
Location of Cultural Activities Companies
Cultural Activities Companies by Size
Largest Cultural Activities Companies
Turnover
Canal & River Trust
£237.3m
The English Heritage Trust
£141.4m
Cultural Activities Companies by Age
42% Mature
27% Established
19% Young
12% Startup
0% New
Oldest Cultural Activities Companies
Established
Fastest Growing Cultural Activities Companies
36% Declining
22% Rapid
19% Healthy
14% High
9% Low
Fastest Growing Cultural Activities Companies
3yr CAGR
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 3,868 active Businesses in the UK with combined annual sales of £3 billion .
The Industry employs around 45,072 people and contributes £2 billion to the economy.
The most popular location for Cultural Activities companies is London with 739 and the fewest are located in Northern Ireland with 79.
The largest Cultural Activities company is Merlin Attractions Operations Limited with a turnover of £585.6m. 72% of the industry is comprised of Micro companies with only 4% Mid companies.
12% of the Cultural Activities Industry is made up of 12% Startup but the majority are Mature businesses (42%) the oldest company is The Palestine Exploration Fund founded in 1879.
Cultural Activities industry has a number of high growth companies (14%), the fastest growing company is Delfont Mackintosh Theatres Limited with a 3 year growth rate of 222%. Other fast growing companies include Lw Theatres Holdings Limited (199%), Lw Theatres Group Limited (176%) and The Royal Collection Trust (134%).
The UK Cultural Activities Industry’s valuation has been improving over the past 3 years with a current EBITDA multiple of 15.47x, Turnover multiple of 2.22x and a Net Asset multiple of 2.28x.
