The West London company picture
The figures on this page cover the W postcode area only. Postcode areas and boroughs do not line up: W postcodes include addresses in Westminster (W1 and W2), Kensington and Chelsea (W8), Hammersmith and Fulham (W6), Ealing (W5) and Hounslow (W4). Parts of Kensington and Chelsea (SW3) and Hammersmith and Fulham (SW6) have SW postcodes, so they are counted on our South London page instead. Outer London postcodes, for example UB, TW, IG, RM, CR, BR, KT and SM, are not included, which leaves out the parts of Ealing borough with UB postcodes and Hounslow's TW postcodes.
On 1 September 2026 there were 117,090 active companies with a registered office in W postcodes. 13,158 of them were incorporated in the 12 months to August 2026, or 112.4 new companies per 1,000 active companies. That is below both the UK figure of 137.5 and London as a whole (the E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W and WC areas) at 132.6. West London's company base is more established, with a smaller share of first-year companies.
There are 927 accountancy companies registered in W postcodes, one for every 126 active companies. The UK average is one for every 83 and the London average one for every 98.
Why the West London firm count looks low
Each company is placed by its registered office postcode, and any single postcode with 1,000 or more live companies is left out. Those postcodes are typically formation agent, virtual office and accountancy addresses that act as the registered office for very large numbers of companies. W postcodes have several, almost all of them in W1. Taking them out removes companies, but it also removes the accountancy firms registered at those addresses. The result is that West London shows 126 companies per firm, a higher figure than a count of every address would give. It says more about where accountancy companies put their registered office than about how many accountants work in West London.
Two more caveats. Sole traders and ordinary partnerships are not on the Companies House register, so self-employed people and sole-practitioner accountants are missing. And a registered office is not always where a company trades. The full method is on our methodology page.
Industries that stand out in West London
A location quotient compares a trade's share of companies here with its share across the UK, so 1.5 means one and a half times as common. It relies on the SIC codes companies pick for themselves when they register.
Performing arts (1.74)
West London has 973 active performing arts companies, 136 of them incorporated in the last 12 months. HMRC's employment status guidance says most actors and other performers are self-employed, but that is not automatic, and an engagement can still be employment if the usual signs of self-employment are missing. Working through a company does not remove that question. Our accountants for actors page explains agent fees, costume and status in more depth.
Artistic creation (1.72)
1,533 active companies are registered for artistic creation. Writers, composers and artists who are self-employed and whose profits come from selling their works or from royalties can use averaging for creators to spread profits across two years. It is not available if you used the cash basis, so the choice of accounting method matters. See accountants for musicians.
Software development (1.24)
There are 2,451 active software development companies in W postcodes, and 654 were incorporated in the 12 months to August 2026. For contractors, the off-payroll working rules (IR35) apply contract by contract. A medium or large client decides your status and should give you a status determination statement, while for a small client outside the public sector your own company makes the decision. On the VAT Flat Rate Scheme, computer and IT consultancy is 14.5%, or 16.5% for a limited cost business. Read more on our accountants for software developers page.
Architectural practices (1.2)
581 active architectural practices are registered here. HMRC treats architectural services as always standard-rated for VAT, even on projects where the building work itself is zero-rated, unless the design is only a cost component within a design and build contractor's supply. Architecture is also outside the Construction Industry Scheme. More on our accountants for architects page.
Local practicalities
Driving in West London
The Ultra Low Emission Zone runs across all London boroughs, around the clock, every day except Christmas Day. Cars, motorcycles and vans up to 3.5 tonnes that do not meet the standards (for cars, Euro 4 petrol or Euro 6 diesel) pay £12.50 a day.
The Congestion Charge applies in central London from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and noon to 6pm at weekends and on bank holidays. It is £18 a day, or £21 if paid by midnight on the third day after travel, so check the TfL zone map if your clients or premises are near the West End. Electric vehicles no longer escape it: since 2 January 2026 the discount is 25% for electric cars and 50% for electric vans, on Auto Pay only.
For sole traders using the simplified mileage rate (55p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles in 2026/27), HMRC allows congestion charges, tolls and parking on business journeys to be claimed on top. Fines and penalty charge notices are never allowable, and neither is travel between home and your usual place of work.
Business rates
Business rates are billed by the borough: Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham or Ealing. For 2026/27 the multiplier is 43.2p in the pound below £51,000 rateable value, 48p from £51,000 to £499,999 and 50.8p at £500,000 or more, with lower rates for retail, hospitality and leisure below £500,000. Larger West End premises should also check the Crossrail business rate supplement: 2p in the pound, charged only where rateable value is above £92,000 (the threshold rose from £75,000 on 1 April 2026). Small business rate relief removes rates on a single property with a rateable value of £12,000 or less, tapering out at £15,000, and you apply to your council.
Free business support
Grow London Local is London & Partners' free support service for the capital's small business owners, with online resources and free consultations.
Working with an online accountant in West London
GoForma is an online accountancy practice with its office at 40 Bowling Green Lane, London EC1R 0NE, in Clerkenwell. We work with clients in West London and across the UK by phone, video, email and WhatsApp. Our accountants are ACCA and AAT qualified, and every package includes FreeAgent accounting software.
Limited companies start with the Start Bundle at £88 a month (50% off for the first three months), which includes a dedicated accountant, year-end accounts and Corporation Tax return, payroll for one director and an IR35 review on every contract. The Operate Bundle, £128 a month, adds VAT returns, director Self Assessment, the confirmation statement and a London business address. If you want an address without the accounting, we also offer a London virtual office in EC1. Prices exclude VAT; see all packages or return to accountants in London.