Learn how other UK businesses have used external finance to reach their ambition
Here’s just some of the tens of thousands of smaller businesses funded through our partners, with the support of British Business Bank’s programmes.
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Enterprise Capital Funds
NQ64
NQ64 are a chain of unique bars across the country offering a range of specialist beers and cocktails which can be enjoyed by customers while playing a range of retro arcade games and consoles.
With the coronavirus pandemic harming this contracting firm’s revenue significantly, the business needed access to more cash that would enable it to operate during such an uncertain time. As a result, the company turned to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to boost its cashflow.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
As they did with many businesses, the government shutdowns in 2020 left this electrical and mechanical contractor with no sites on which to work and nowhere to deploy its 40-plus staff.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
Facing serious financial issues as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, digital marketing agency WNW Digital sought support via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) so its plans for growing the business over the coming months and years wouldn’t be scuppered.
For this childcare provider, COVID-19 took away almost 90% of our business overnight. Needing funds to cover monthly overheads for premises, salaries and other general running costs, the company turned to the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) for financial support.
When this bakery and workers’ co-operative paused its trading to protect staff and the local community during the pandemic, it used the downtime that closure afforded to reassess its priorities. However, knowing that its diminished revenue couldn’t cover its ongoing overheads, the business applied for funding via the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) to provide some much-needed cashflow.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
With the COVID-19 shutdown causing the customers of this family-run company to fall short with payments or have to cease trading temporarily, the business was forced into rethinking its financial strategy. Deciding to buy new stock that it could sell as essential items throughout the pandemic, the company boosted its working capital with help via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
Coach company Ember was waiting to take delivery of its first fully electric vehicle when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Delays in the supply chain interrupted the business’ operations, while its financing fell through at the same time.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
As with all hotels across the country, the emergence of COVID-19 meant Hustyns Hotel & Spa had to shut down for a number of months to comply with government guidelines.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
The coronavirus pandemic caused this Essex construction company to postpone plans to buy a rural site on which it planned to build a number of new homes. Unable to complete its other construction projects, and facing a significant lack of funds, the business needed investment from elsewhere.
In the world of e-commerce, speed is essential. But when COVID-19 hit, this IT company saw potential investors cancel upcoming investor meetings and was forced to put back its plans by a year as a result. With all these challenges, how was the business able to move forward?
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
As soon as governments across the world enforced their bans on international travel to tackle COVID-19, agents such as Meon Valley Travel saw their income promptly disappear. Consequently, it applied to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) for funding that would allow it to continue trading during the pandemic.
Concerned that the COVID-19 shutdown would severely harm its business, Coventry’s Mercia Hardware turned to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) for financial support. Granted a loan, the company was able to continue to supply its products and even diversify its range.
COVID-19 created a number of issues for Hanson Springs. Staff taking leave to self-isolate reduced overall productivity, while a fall in demand hampered cashflow.
As a start-up that produces advanced materials for solar panels, being locked out of its laboratories because of the global coronavirus pandemic wasn’t part of the plan, and cast severe doubt over the company’s ability to reach its next technology milestone. With jobs potentially at risk, the business navigated these challenging issues with financial support via the Future Fund.
Maintaining funding and consolidating its position in a key UK industry of alloys development was going to be difficult for OxMet, particularly once the aerospace sector began to feel the impact of COVID-19.
Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)
Back in March 2020, Dronfield housebuilders Linell Homes were set to close a deal to begin construction on some new properties when the nationwide lockdown was announced. Left with an empty building site and uncertainty around its cashflow, the business chose to support itself with funding via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS).