The UK’s most communal cities
16th May, 2025
Being part of a community and feeling a sense of community are drivers of both happy individuals and societies. A global study of 120,000 respondents across 74 countries found that greater happiness comes when one feels connected to others and to the place one lives. In an era of rapid social and digital change, communities are more important than ever. Drawing on insights from community engagement data, we reveal the UK cities setting the highest benchmark for inclusivity, togetherness and community. Read on to see where your closest city ranks on our list.
Stoke-on-Trent - #1
Ranking as number one on our list is Stoke-On-Trent. Known as the World Capital of Ceramics, Stoke-On-Trent scored the highest on our list due to its number of events, new businesses and student population. A creative and dynamic city, our research has also shown that Stoke-On-Trent has been awarded 151 grants by Arts Council England, indicating a real drive for community engagement and cultural projects.
While Stoke-On-Trent is one of the smaller cities we investigated, its community spirit packs a punch. Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke in 2024, University Graduate Opal Raine talks about how they traded sunny California for a life in Stoke-On-Trent, mainly due to the city's community spirit – especially in times of adversity when the COVID-19 Pandemic hit.
Formed in 1925, Stoke-On-Trent celebrates its centenary in 2025, and we can't think of any better way to commemorate this achievement than being named the UK's most communal city on our list.
Bristol - #2
Ranked as the Happiest City in the UK and one of the Happiest in the World by the Institute For Quality Of Life 'Happy City Index' for 2024, it's no wonder Bristol ranks second on our list. With a whopping 688 run clubs and 2,260 new businesses starting in the year 2023, Bristol is a vibrant city brimming with culture.
Bristol is proud to be a City of Sanctuary, welcoming and supporting refugees and asylum seekers and a UNESCO Learning City, promoting learning opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. What's more, Bristol was one of the first cities in the UK to become a Living Wage City.
Coventry - #3
Ranking third on our list is the West Midlands city of Coventry. With a population of 455,000, Coventry scored highly for its 1,590 new businesses that started in 2023. It has a large student population, and the highest number of events compared to any other city we analysed.
The city takes community very seriously, having launched its 'One Coventry Plan', which has a clear vision: 'One Coventry - Working together to improve our city and the lives of those who live, work and study here'. The plan's priorities are tackling inequality and improving economic prosperity and climate change.
Sheffield - #4
Fourth on our list is Sheffield. Sheffield is an industrial city home to more trees than people and is one of England's greenest cities. 60,000 students call Sheffield home, as do 99 charity shops. City organisations have been awarded 734 grants from Arts Council England, indicating a cultural and artistic community.
The city has a reputation for its friendliness. Just last year, students from Sheffield Hallam University showed their community spirit by donating 74,000 hours to volunteering, benefitting more than 80 local charities.
Edinburgh - #5
According to our research, the historic city of Edinburgh comes in at number five. Although the city's permanent population is 564,000, over the months of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this number swells to well over 1 million.
With one of the highest life expectancies of the UK's eight major cities and the highest proportion of residents who spend life in good health, Edinburgh is an amazing and beautiful place to live. In 2023, our research indicates that 2,105 new businesses started, showing a true entrepreneurial spirit across the city. Residents enjoy coming together for exercise, too, as we can pinpoint 298 run clubs, each open to different runners at varying levels.
Moreover, the HappyCityIndex2024 placed Edinburgh as one of the happiest cities in the world - and the second happiest in the UK.
Glasgow - #6
Another Scottish city scoring high on our list is the cosmopolitan city of Glasgow. According to our research, 2,755 new businesses started in the year 2023. The city is also home to 185,000 students – the second-largest student population out of all cities we analysed. The city boasts 133 charity shops and 375 run clubs, so locals can unite in many ways.
Community engagement is prevalent in Glasgow, with many examples of residents spreading goodwill. From the charity' Spirit of Christmas' celebrating a decade of delivering 900,000 gifts to young people to Bikes for Refugees Scotland, providing bikes for those in need, residents consistently roll up their sleeves to lend the community a hand.
Leeds - #7
Seventh on our list is the northern city of Leeds. According to our data, residents love to come together for a run, as we found 1,072 run cubs available. A city proud of its culture, residents can enjoy many community events across the year – from Leeds West Indian Carnival to the Northern Ballet to the Yorkshire Sculpture International.
Recently named as one of the friendliest cities in the UK, Leeds is also proud to be a City of Sanctuary – a national movement to build a culture of welcome for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.
Cardiff - #8
Ranking as eighth on our list is the Welsh city of Cardiff. In 2023, Cardiff became the UK's first ever UNICEF Child Friendly City due to its work embedding children's rights in decisions made by the local government.
Our research indicates locals enjoy an event, with 1,452 taking place over the dates we analysed. We also spotted that in 2023, 1,480 new businesses started across the city, indicating a resourceful and ambitious community.
Residents in Cardiff are proud of their heritage and language, with the most recent 2021 Census showing Cardiff to have the largest increase in percentage of Welsh speakers of any other local authority in the country.
Leicester - #9
Returning to the midlands, we find the city of Leicester ranking ninth on our list. With a population of 575,000, Leicester boasts an impressive 5,569 events of the dates we analysed - ahead of London.
Leicester also hosts the largest Diwali celebration outside of India, which usually attracts up to 45,000 people annually.
A city proud of its diverse communities, Leicester is referred to as 'A super diverse city' after it emerged from the 2021 Census that it is the first plural city in the UK where no ethnic group has a majority.
Nottingham - #10
Tenth on our list is the east midlands city of Nottingham. Famous for its Sherwood Forest and legendary tales of Robin Hood, Nottingham has 127 charity shops and a large student population. In the year 2023, Nottingham saw 1,305 new businesses founded.
Recently, the city has seen the redevelopment of a new playground, described by the RIBA Journal from the Royal Institute of British Architects as 'a beacon of innovation and community spirit'. Like many others, the playground has been redeveloped to better suit communities now living in the area. It is a true example of how urban spaces can be reimaged to better suit neighbourhoods.
Liverpool - #11
Coming in at eleventh on our list is the maritime city of Liverpool. With a population of 929,000, Liverpool is known for being the birthplace of The Beatles and its friendly and welcoming residents.
With just under 2,000 events taking place over the dates we analysed, Liverpool's community spirit shined through with its high number of run clubs (279), a large number of cultural grants awarded by the Arts Council (831) and 2,330 new businesses founded in the year 2023.
Brighton - #12
Our ranking places Brighton as twelfth on the list. Referred to as the 'LGBTQIA+ capital of Britain', Brighton is a proudly diverse and inclusive city, home to 632,000 residents. Across the city, you will find 53 charity shops and 539 run clubs. Our research indicates the Arts Council has previously awarded 1,392 grants to help fund art and cultural projects, which shows how creative the city is.
In Brighton, residents and organisations take climate action seriously. Just recently, the Trust for Developing Communities was awarded almost £1.3 million by the National Lottery to empower under-represented communities in the area to participate in climate action.
Belfast - #13
Northern Ireland's capital, Belfast, comes in at thirteenth on our rankings. A vibrant hub jampacked full of culture and amazing cuisine, Belfast attracts students from all over the world to study.
Our data has found that the city saw 1,120 new businesses start in 2023 while hosting 555 run clubs. There are many examples of community spirit and goodwill across Belfast, including the story of Eden Byrne, who was named Volunteer of the Year for her work with young people with complex needs.
London - #14
Fourteenth on our list is the UK's capital – London. With a population of 984,100, London is the largest city in the UK by population and one of the largest in the world. In 2023, the city saw 74,650 new businesses founded and is home to 9,000 charity shops.
Despite the city's size, London is brimming with civic pride. From research indicating Londoners are most likely to make friends on the bus to Parkrun celebrating its 20th anniversary, there are so many examples of communities coming together across the Big Smoke.
Newcastle upon Tyne - #15
Back up the country, which ranks fifteenth on our list, is Newcastle Upon Tyne. The city is known for its friendly locals, proximity to the Northumberland coastline (an area of outstanding natural beauty) and rich industrial heritage.
A popular city for students worldwide, Newcastle is home to Newcastle University and Northumbria University, with a combined student population of 45,000. In 2024, two suburbs in the city – Whitley Bay and Heaton were named among the best places to live in the UK by the Sunday Times' 'Best Places to Live'.
At The Arch Company, we value the vital role that small businesses play in their communities. By dedicating their time and energy, these businesses foster growth and create opportunities for their neighbourhoods. If your business is on the lookout for its next space, we have prime locations across London and beyond. Let’s connect and explore how we can support your journey to success.
We created a list of the UKs largest 15 cities, and assigned a data point based on:
- Total number of Eventbrite events across the weekend of the 28th of February 2025
- Number of new businesses founded in the year 2023
- Student population size
- Number of charity shops
- Total number of run clubs
- Number of grants awarded by the Arts Council
- Provision of green space per person
Each location was given an index score relative to its population.
"Strong communities are at the heart of thriving cities, and it's inspiring to see the places across the UK where local businesses, residents, and initiatives are working together to create a real sense of belonging. At The Arch Company, we see first-hand how independent businesses play a crucial role in shaping vibrant neighbourhoods, and we're committed to supporting them in spaces that foster connection and opportunity. This research highlights how important shared spaces and community spirit are in making our cities great places to live and work." - Joanne Cruickshank, Head of Leasing at The Arch Company