Nestled within the South Downs National Park, Petersfield is a vibrant market town offering a thriving environment for businesses of all sizes. Known for its strong community spirit, excellent transport links, and rich local amenities – as well as recently being voted best place to live in the UK – Petersfield continues to attract entrepreneurs, SMEs, and larger firms alike. 

At GTA Accounting, we’re proud to be part of the Petersfield business community. Here’s our latest insight into the local economic landscape. 

Population and income 

14,996 ¹ 

… of which 55% of working age 

… there is an older trend to the population, with 25% older than 65 compared to 20% below 18 

… women make up 52.4% of local population 

Median income: £39,500 

… is above the UK average of £30,500²  

… places Petersfield in the top 15% of areas nationally in terms of household income.  

Local business sentiment  

In May 2025 we completed a survey of 20 Petersfield local business owners. We asked them four specific questions to determine their feelings to doing business in Petersfield: 

1. Do you feel Petersfield is a good place to do business? 

… 80% say yes 

2. Are you feeling confident about the future for your business? 

… 60% say yes 

3. What is your biggest challenge in business at the moment? 

… 60% said uncertainty about the future, and 50% said customers tend to have less money and are spending less 

4. What’s the best thing for your business about being in Petersfield? 

… 80% said the community and the people 

Commercial unit data  

Petersfield town centre is vibrant with weekly traditional markets and a farmers market held on the first Sunday each month. 

There is a high retail unit occupancy level of 80%. 

We completed survey of the type of active business in the town centre as part of our local business survey. Our data shows (for total 180 businesses*): 

• Professional & Financial Services … 5% 

• Health & Wellness … 10% 

• Hairdressers & Barbers … 15% 

• Personal Care Services … 10% 

• Cafés & Coffee Shops … 10% 

• Takeaways … 15%  

• Other Food & Leisure … 10% 

• Charity Shops … 10% 

• Other Retail … 5% 

• Gambling … 5% 

• Other business types … 5% 

Local Entrepreneurship  

The number of new limited companies with trading address registered in Petersfield has trended upwards over the last 3 years (source Endole): 

2022: 152 

2023: 159 

2024: 166 

The present number of registered companies with Petersfield trading address is 822. 

Overall Petersfield is relatively less entrepreneurial than the national average, with 54.8 companies per 1,000 people, compared to national average of 71.4³. 

Business connectivity  

Petersfield is considered well-prepared for digital trading, with 92.9% of premises with gigabit-capable broadband (1 Gbps or faster); against national average c.80%. 

However for those looking to do business in person – ie within 15 minute drive – the accessible surrounding population in local towns and villages is relatively small at c.25,000. 

There is presently no active Business Improvement District in Petersfield. 

Overall thoughts…  

So how does Petersfield rate on the GTA Matrix? 

8/10 – Very Good 

The business occupancy rates are very good, with a thriving town centre and an excellent mix of business types in the town well suited for the socio-economic structure of the local population. 

The positive local business owner sentiment about doing business in Petersfield is a real strength; and is seemingly reflected by the increasingly entrepreneurial trend within the towns population.  

Furthermore there is excellent broadband connectivity for digital readiness. 

Let down slightly by the lack of local BID, the overall entrepreneurial rate being below national average, the older trending demographic and the relatively small wider population within a 15 minute drive for businesses looking outside the Petersfield boundary. 

In short, in 2025 Petersfield is a considered a very good place to do business.