Your Companies House SIC search stops before the list is complete
You need the companies in one industry and one place. Companies House advanced search now does much of that job free, but a broad result can stop at 5,000 rows and its location field is not an exact postcode filter.
Preview companies by SIC code and town Why the bulk file will not open in Excel
Worked example: active Leeds companies in SIC 62 (computing)
Choose Companies House, set Status: Active, Primary SIC code starts with: 62 and Post town: Leeds. SIC 62 is computer programming and consultancy, so this is the active software and IT companies registered in Leeds.
| Company name | Company number | Status | Incorporated on | Post town | Primary SIC code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| & ATKINS LIMITED | 14624244 | Active | 2023-01-30 | LEEDS | 62020 |
| 1-UN LIMITED | 06192205 | Active | 2007-03-29 | LEEDS | 62020 |
| 1004 PM LIMITED | 17447886 | Active | 2026-09-08 | LEEDS | 62020 |
| 100XDB LTD | 15767554 | Active | 2024-06-07 | LEEDS | 62012 |
| 123 DIGITALLY LTD | 13259193 | Active | 2021-03-11 | LEEDS | 62090 |
The table shows 6 selected columns. The free CSV includes all 25 public columns for these first 5 rows. Blank source values stay blank in the CSV. The SIC filter matches the first listed SIC code's prefix, and the location is the registered office, not a verified trading address.
Source: Companies House. DataScoop import: 2026-10-24. Rows can change after a new import.
Download 5 example rows freeBuild this list with your own filters
What is happening
The official advanced search can combine SIC code, location, company status, company type and incorporation dates, and can return up to 5,000 rows. Use it first when that covers the whole job.
When the result is broader, or you need registered-office post town, postcode prefix, county or primary-SIC matching, the complete route is the monthly bulk snapshot. Companies House offers it as one large ZIP or seven smaller files, with the filtering left to you.
What it disrupts
- A five-minute targeting question becomes several capped searches or a bulk-data processing job.
- Broad searches hit result limits before you have a complete list.
- Vendor quotes and annual tools can be disproportionate when you only need one filtered export.
Why it happens
- Advanced search is a useful set-shaped route, but its maximum response is 5,000 rows and location is a broad text match.
- The bulk product is complete and split for easier downloading, but it is unfiltered and still requires several files or database tooling for broad work.
- SIC classifications can contain up to four registered activities, so a useful list needs an explicit choice between primary-code and any-code matching.
Checks to make now
- Try the official advanced search first. If its 5,000-row maximum contains the complete result, there is no reason to pay DataScoop for the same job.
- Confirm the SIC code and whether you mean the primary code only or any registered activity. The current DataScoop explorer accepts one SIC filter at a time.
- Use the registered-office location knowingly. A post town or postcode identifies the registered office, which may not be the company's trading location.
- Choose the company statuses and incorporation dates you actually need. A registration is not evidence that a company is actively trading.
Where DataScoop fits
DataScoop filters its copy of the official monthly register by SIC code or activity, post town, postcode, county, company status, company type and incorporation date.
Preview the rows first. A one-off export returns the full matching CSV for £1.99, while Pro exposes the same filters through the REST API and MCP.
Where it fits, and where it does not
Good fit
- Buyers who need company-level lists by industry, registered-office area, status, type or incorporation date.
- One-off exports and repeatable research queries where registered-office geography and SIC data are appropriate inputs.
Not the right fit
- People who need trading locations, verified trading activity, turnover or same-day filings.
- Requests for directors, persons with significant control, emails, phone numbers or other personal contacts.
Proof and boundaries
The current import contains 5,704,711 company records and was last imported on 2026-10-24. It follows the official monthly snapshot rather than the live filing stream.
Registered-office geography and SIC codes are self-reported company-register fields. Keep those limitations in mind when using the result for research or outreach.
No directors, persons with significant control, emails or phone numbers are included. This is a company list, not a personal contact database.
Questions people ask
Can Companies House search by SIC code?
Yes. Its advanced search combines SIC codes with location, status, type and incorporation dates and returns up to 5,000 rows per request. DataScoop is for a complete monthly-snapshot result beyond that cap or for its more explicit registered-office filters.
Can I use more than one SIC code?
The current explorer accepts one SIC filter at a time. You can match a primary code prefix or search the combined SIC-code and activity field, then repeat the query for another code if needed.
Does town mean where the business trades?
No. It is the post town of the registered office. Some companies trade elsewhere, and some registered offices serve many companies.
Can I get director names or contact details?
No. DataScoop deliberately serves company-level organisational data only.
Get the complete slice when 5,000 rows are not enough
Set the SIC and registered-office filters, inspect 25 rows free, then download only if the result fits the job.
Preview companies by SIC code and town