# Points of Interest Documentation Points of Interest is a comprehensive location-based directory of all public and privately owned businesses, educational institutions and leisure services in Great Britain. It contains over four million records, which are sourced and quality-checked from over a hundred leading listing suppliers. {% hint style="info" %} **This product is updated quarterly in March, June, September and December.** {% endhint %}
Representation of Points of Interest data showing a large number of points of interest represented as coloured dots on a background map

Representation of Points of Interest data

{% tabs %} {% tab title="Benefits" %} **Take your analysis beyond the address** Points of Interest GIS data can help to identify places by their use and function as well as by their postal address or location. Each record also contains a telephone number, web address and brand, where appropriate. **Organisation and activity at commercial addresses** More than 45% of Points of Interest records are businesses. It shows the organisation and activity at commercial addresses in Great Britain, and includes the brand, phone number and web URL of major businesses. **Sourced and quality-checked data** Points of Interest contains over four million records, sourced and quality-checked from more than 100 leading listing suppliers. It's updated quarterly, so you'll always be working with current information. **Tailor your order** You can tailor your order to just what you need – and our tiered classifications make it easy to narrow down your choices. So if you only want to know about businesses in Wigan or banks in Kent, we're here to help. **Customise the appearance of features** With our suggested symbols, in large and small sizes, you can customise Points of Interest features of a particular type. {% endtab %} {% tab title="Use Cases" %} **Take your analysis beyond the address** Points of Interest GIS data can help to identify places by their use and function as well as by their postal address or location. Each record also contains a telephone number, web address and brand, where appropriate. **Identify gaps in services** For the public sector, Points of Interest lets you identify gaps in services and analyse changes in city centre retail space over time. This helps you maintain a quality environment for your residents, shoppers and visitors. **Target the competition** Thanks to its detailed company classifications linked to addresses, you can conduct detailed competitor and site analysis for the potential location of your next high street outlet. **Look up a wide range of businesses and services** Points of Interest data can be used look up the following businesses and services in Britain: * Accommodation * Eating and drinking * Commercial services * Attractions * Sport and entertainment * Education and health * Public infrastructure * Manufacturing and production * Retail * Transport {% endtab %} {% tab title="Summary" %} * **Access:** Secure URL * **Data theme:** Geographical Names * **Data structure:** Vector – Points * **Coverage:** Great Britain * **Scale:** 1:1 250 to 1:10 000 * **Format:** Text * **Ordering area:** Custom ordering options * **Publication months:** March, June, September, December {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ## What's next? To access additional documentation and resources relating to this product, please refer to the following:
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Overview

This overview introduces Points of Interest and gives context for all users – highlighting key features, providing examples of potential uses, and listing details such as supply mechanism, currency, etc.

Points-of-Interest-2.pngpoints-of-interest-overview

Technical Specification

The technical specification provides detailed technical information about Points of Interest. It is targeted at technical users and software developers.

Points-of-Interest-1.pnghttps://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/points-of-interest/points-of-interest-technical-specification

Classification Scheme

The classification scheme document describes the groups, categories and classes that make up Points of Interest data

Points-of-Interest-3.pnghttps://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/points-of-interest/points-of-interest-classification-scheme

Class Count

The class count document lists all Points of Interest classes and their record count.

Points-of-Interest-4.pnghttps://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/points-of-interest/points-of-interest-class-count

Downloads

The downloads page provides links and resources to support the application of Points of Interest within your environment.

Points-of-Interest-3.pnghttps://docs.os.uk/os-downloads/products/addresses-and-names-portfolio/points-of-interest/points-of-interest-downloads
{% hint style="info" %} New users should start with the Overview to gain high-level insight into the product. The Technical Specification contains detailed technical insights. {% endhint %}