Regional search
Find businesses throughout Northern England.
About Northern Directory
Helping people discover trusted businesses across Northern England
Northern Directory brings useful business information, regional search and modern listing tools together in one straightforward platform. It is built to help people find businesses more easily and to give businesses greater control over how they appear online.
Business listings
Clear profiles built around genuine businesses and locations.
Claim and manage
Businesses can correct, expand and maintain their information.
Developed by Data Menu
Built using structured data, custom software and modern search.
Why we are here
Local business information should be easier to find
Finding a business online should not require searching through incomplete profiles, outdated social pages, irrelevant national results and endless sponsored advertisements.
Northern Directory provides a dedicated place to discover companies, independent businesses and services throughout Northern England. It is designed around the information people commonly need before deciding whether to contact or visit a business.
That can include the business name, location, contact details, website, opening hours, services, images and other useful public information.
The platform is also designed for the businesses being discovered. Rather than leaving businesses dependent on scattered third-party profiles, the directory provides a place where authorised representatives can take control, correct information and create a more complete listing.
What the directory provides
A useful platform for visitors and listed businesses
The directory has been built around practical features that improve discovery, transparency and control without overcomplicating the experience.
Focused business discovery
Search companies and services by category and location without working through unrelated results from across the entire country.
Useful business profiles
Listings bring public business details, descriptions, services, contact information, locations and opening hours into one clear profile.
Claimable listings
Authorised business representatives can claim existing listings, correct information and build a more complete public presence.
Transparent checks
Verification labels are clearly explained and are never presented as guarantees, endorsements or professional accreditations.
For visitors
Find businesses with clearer, more relevant information
The directory is organised around regional discovery rather than attempting to be everything to everyone.
Search by location
Explore businesses within towns, cities and areas throughout Northern England.
Browse by category
Find businesses based on the type of service, product or expertise you require.
View useful details
See public contact information, descriptions, opening hours, services, locations and links.
Understand the checks
Clear explanations show what listing claims, company matches and verification labels actually mean.
For businesses
Give customers a clearer way to find and understand your business
A directory listing provides another searchable business presence beyond your own website and social profiles.
Add your businessClaim your listing
Take control of an existing business profile and maintain the information displayed.
Build a stronger profile
Add descriptions, services, images, opening hours, website links and contact details.
Manage locations
Present genuine branches, offices, stores and trading locations individually.
Understand visibility
Eligible packages can include useful listing and engagement information.
Why join
A listing gives your business another useful place to be discovered
Joining the directory is not about replacing your website, social channels or existing marketing. It is about giving potential customers another reliable path to your business.
Improve discoverability
Appear within relevant regional, location and category searches.
Present consistent details
Keep important public business information together in one structured profile.
Support customer decisions
Help visitors understand what your business offers before they make contact.
Manage your regional presence
Represent genuine business locations across the area in which you operate.
How listings are created
Information can come from several legitimate sources
Some businesses create their own listings. Others may already appear using lawful public business information.
01
Public business information
Listings may use publicly accessible professional information relevant to identifying and describing a business.
02
Company records
Companies House and other appropriate public registers may be used to identify legal entities and basic company details.
03
Direct submissions
Businesses can submit information about their services, locations, contact details and public profile.
04
Claimed listings
Authorised representatives can request control of a listing and maintain the information displayed.
Northern and Southern
Two regional directories, supported by one platform
Business searches are often regional. Someone looking for a local supplier or professional service usually needs results connected with the area in which they live or work.
Northern Directory focuses on Northern England, while Southern Directory focuses on Southern England.
Both directories use the same underlying technology and operating standards, but maintain distinct regional identities and browsing experiences.
Visitors can switch between them freely. Approximate location may be used to suggest the more relevant directory, but no forced regional restriction is applied.
Northern Directory
Northern England
Southern Directory
Southern England
Accuracy and transparency
Useful business information without misleading guarantees
Business information changes regularly. A company may move, change its telephone number, update its opening hours, close a location or alter the services it provides.
We provide businesses with tools to maintain their listings and encourage visitors to report material errors. However, important information should still be confirmed directly before travelling, booking, purchasing or entering into an agreement.
We also avoid using verification language in a misleading way. Terms such as “claimed”, “verified owner” and “Companies House checked” have a defined and limited meaning.
They do not represent professional accreditation, regulatory approval, financial due diligence, insurance confirmation or a guarantee of service quality.
Read the Directory DisclaimerDeveloped by Data Menu
Built by a British software and data company
Northern Directory is designed, developed and operated by Data Menu Limited.
Data Menu builds software, automation systems and structured data products that help businesses find, manage and use information more effectively.
The directory combines those areas of expertise. Business records, regional search, listing claims, account management, location data and paid services are all supported by one internally developed platform.
Building the system internally allows the developers to improve search, introduce new listing features, refine data quality and respond to how visitors and businesses actually use the directory.
The aim is not simply to publish a long list of company names. The aim is to create a reliable and useful regional business platform that becomes more valuable as the information, tools and businesses within it improve.
Visit Data MenuFrequently asked questions
More about how the directory works
Clear answers about business listings, claims, subscriptions, verification, regional coverage and Data Menu’s role in operating the platform.
What is Northern Directory?
Northern Directory is an independent British business directory focused on Northern England. It helps visitors find companies, independent businesses and local services, while giving businesses a place to manage and improve their public information.
Who operates Northern Directory?
Northern Directory is designed, developed and operated by Data Menu Limited, a British software and data company specialising in structured business information, automation and custom digital platforms.
Why was Northern Directory created?
The directory was created to make regional business discovery clearer and more useful. Search engines and social platforms can be crowded, inconsistent or difficult to navigate. Northern Directory provides a focused place for people to browse businesses by location, category and service.
Is Northern Directory free to use?
Yes. Visitors can search and browse the directory without paying. Businesses can also claim and maintain a basic listing for free. Optional paid packages provide additional profile features, visibility, analytics and location-management tools.
Why should a business join the directory?
A complete and accurate listing gives potential customers another way to find, understand and contact a business. Businesses can add useful information such as services, opening hours, locations, images, contact details and booking links.
Does adding a listing guarantee new customers?
No directory can guarantee enquiries, bookings or revenue. A strong listing can improve visibility and make information easier to find, but results depend on the business, its market, location, services, competition and customer demand.
How are businesses added to the directory?
Listings may be created from public business information, Companies House records, public registers, business websites, direct business submissions or information supplied by authorised representatives.
Does every listed business create its own listing?
No. Some listings are unclaimed and may have been created from lawful public business information. A business does not need to pay for or approve a listing before appearing in the directory.
Can a business claim an existing listing?
Yes. An owner, director, employee or other authorised representative can request control of an existing listing. Evidence may be requested to confirm that the claimant is genuinely connected with the business.
What does Companies House checked mean?
It means that certain identifying information has been matched with or obtained from a Companies House record. It is not a financial check, professional accreditation, regulatory approval or endorsement of the business.
What does a claimed or verified listing mean?
It ordinarily means that an account holder has completed the listing-control or verification process required by the directory. It does not guarantee the quality, legality, insurance, qualifications or financial position of the business.
What is the difference between Northern Directory and Southern Directory?
Northern Directory focuses on Northern England, while Southern Directory focuses on Southern England. Both use the same underlying platform and standards, but provide more relevant regional search, content and branding.
Can I browse both directories?
Yes. Visitors can browse either directory at any time. Approximate location may be used to suggest the most relevant regional site, but it does not prevent access to Northern Directory or Southern Directory.
Does appearing higher in search mean a business is recommended?
No. Search position may be influenced by relevance, location, category, listing quality, completeness, promotional status and other ranking factors. Prominence does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee.
Are paid listings clearly separated from recommendations?
Paid packages may provide enhanced profile features or additional visibility. Payment does not mean that the directory recommends or guarantees a business. Sponsored or promotional placement will be identified where required.
Is every listing guaranteed to be accurate?
No business directory can guarantee that every detail will remain accurate at all times. Businesses move, change services, update contact details and alter opening hours. Visitors should confirm important information directly with the relevant business.
How can incorrect information be reported?
A business can claim and update its listing. Visitors and business representatives can also report inaccurate information by emailing corporate@datamenu.co.uk with the listing URL, the disputed details and supporting evidence.
Can a business outside the North be listed?
The directory is focused on Northern England. A business based elsewhere may still appear where it operates a genuine branch, office, store, facility or other legitimate trading location within the region.
Is the directory connected with the businesses it lists?
Not ordinarily. Unless a relationship is expressly stated, the directory is independent and is not affiliated with, authorised by or acting on behalf of listed businesses, regulators, trade bodies or public authorities.
Can businesses manage multiple locations?
Yes. Eligible plans allow businesses to add and manage multiple genuine branches or trading locations from one account. Each location must represent a real business presence rather than a duplicate or misleading listing.
Who develops and maintains the platform?
The platform is developed and maintained by the Data Menu team. The system is built internally rather than relying entirely on a generic directory template, allowing search, business accounts, data processing and listing tools to evolve together.
Join the directory
Find a business or improve how yours appears
Search businesses across Northern England, claim an existing listing or add your business to the directory.