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Success Stories

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.

Have you received finance from one of our partners using one of our programmes? Do you want to have a chance of being featured as a success story on our website? Please email our Communications team to register your interest.

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.

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Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Red Oak Taverns

Despite being consistently profitable, Red Oak Taverns saw its income streams severely curtailed once the Government’s shutdown of hospitality businesses began.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese

As soon as the COVID-19 lockdown was implemented, Preston cheesemaker Mrs Kirkham’s Lancashire Cheese lost most of its business. With wholesalers returning stock and sales dwindling, the company turned to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) for finance that would allow it to find new routes to sell its product.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Macs Adventures

An international organisation, Glasgow-based Macs Adventures felt the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak earlier than many other businesses. Seeing demand for its tour service diminish almost overnight, the company sought support via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) so it could implement financial measures that would protect its future.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Cadherent

Once the effects of COVID-19 began to take hold, engineering animation consultants Cadherent decided its best approach for the long term was to use Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) funding to take stock and diversify their operations.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

ART Health Solutions

A business with a client portfolio of mainly office-based organisations, ART Health Solutions was severely affected when those corporate premises closed suddenly as a result of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

North of Scotland Marquees

When the government placed restrictions on public gatherings as part of its drive to tackle COVID‑19, marquee hire company North of Scotland Marquees saw its bookings for the next few months suddenly cancelled or postponed.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Merrion Hotel

With COVID-19 striking just before the busy spring season kicked in, the Merrion Hotel saw its income vanish virtually overnight. But securing a loan via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) has enabled the business to keep suppliers, staff and creditors fully paid.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Leamick Building Systems

Without the support of the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), Worksop-based plastering company Leamick Building Systems might not have had enough working capital to see it through the challenging period of the pandemic.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

GK Coffee Group Limited

Uncertain what trading would look like once its stores reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown, and having invested heavily in a new point of sale system, Starbucks franchise GK Coffee Group Limited applied to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) for a loan that would provide vital financial security.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Stone Marketing

With bricks-and-mortar stores making up a large percentage of Stone Marketing’s sales, the closure of such outlets due to COVID-19 caused significant disruption to this Kent-based stationery company’s income. Receiving funding via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) enabled the business to alleviate the impact of the pandemic on its cashflow and balance sheet.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Anglian Country Inns

Having failed to secure vital working capital before the COVID-19 pandemic, the subsequent closure of hospitality businesses as a result of the outbreak hit Anglian Country Inns’ finances even harder.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Cambridge Rapid

Suffolk-based precision metal manufacturers Cambridge Rapid had invested much of its working capital in new premises and machinery when COVID-19 forced many businesses to close.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Sunsquare

Already enduring cashflow issues due to uncertainty around Brexit, skylight company Sunsquare faced even tougher times with the COVID-19 shutdown. Applying to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) for financial support was the difference between securing jobs and continuing to trade and closing down the business altogether.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Goulds (Dorchester) Limited

Having only recently spent a large sum on inventory for the summer season ahead, the COVID-19 shutdown couldn’t have come at a worse time for retail group Goulds (Dorchester) Limited.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)

Going Places Removals

The COVID-19 shutdown prevented people from moving house and businesses relocating to new premises.

Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS)

Haweswater Hotel

Although the enforced shutdown due to COVID-19 caused the Haweswater Hotel severe cashflow problems, the owners of the business also recognised an opportunity.

Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)

Forsyth and Steele

When the Government announced plans to close businesses to help combat the spread of COVID-19, Forsyth and Steele saw its incoming orders dwindle almost immediately.

Start Up Loans

Academy ICT

Brian Stoneman secured a Start Up Loan of £6,600 in March 2017 to put towards the running of Academy ICT.