Candle maker companies in the Reading area
198 candle maker companies have a registered office in the Reading area (RG postcodes), and 23 of them were formed in 2025 or 2026. In their latest accounts, the typical one held £41,201 in cash and owed £69,525 at year end.
The numbers
| Measure | Reading | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Registered companies | 198 | 18,190 |
| Formed in 2025 or 2026 | 23 (12%) | 11% |
| Being struck off or in liquidation | 10 (5.1%) | 9% |
| Typical cash at year end | £41,20173 accounts | £61,405 |
| Typical amount owed at year end | £69,525124 accounts | £69,431 |
| Typical number of employees | 2121 accounts | 2 |
What this means if you’re starting one
You will be up against established operators
12% of the 198 candle maker companies in the Reading area (RG postcodes) were formed in 2025–26, against 18% of all companies in the Reading area (RG postcodes). Nationally, that share of new companies is lower than 81% of UK industries.
Few new companies are entering, so your customers will compare you with businesses that have years of reviews and regulars.
Most of these businesses are run by one or two people
The typical candle maker company in the Reading area (RG postcodes) reports 2 employees; the top quarter has 6 or more (121 filings).
You are mostly up against owner-operators. Your own hours are likely to be your biggest cost, and the easiest one to undercount.
Cash is tight in this trade
At year end the typical candle maker company in the Reading area (RG postcodes) holds £41,201 in cash and owes £69,525; that cash figure is higher than 79% of UK industries.
Typical operators end the year holding less cash than they owe, so there is little slack if takings dip or a big bill lands early.
Planning a business like this in Reading?
Answer two questions about your customer and what makes you different, and get a free three-week plan to test the idea before you spend real money. No account or card.
Check my ideaWhat these figures can’t tell you
Companies are counted where their registered office is, which may be an accountant or a home address rather than a shop. Sole traders and partnerships are not on the register, and electronically filed accounts cover roughly 60–75% of accounts filed each year. The figures describe companies that exist; they cannot prove demand for your idea or predict whether it will work. How the figures are built.
Candle maker in other places
- Portsmouth242 companies
- Tonbridge234 companies
- Brighton211 companies
- Guildford201 companies
- Oxford182 companies
- Milton Keynes179 companies
- Redhill178 companies
- Southampton178 companies
Other businesses in Reading
- Business consultancy3,577 companies
- IT support or consultancy3,297 companies
- Buy-to-let landlord2,833 companies
- Web design and software1,422 companies
- Online shop1,303 companies
- Dog grooming and other personal services1,127 companies
- Physiotherapy or therapy clinic891 companies
- Builder880 companies