Business finance in Bristol

Business finance in Bristol often supports companies whose income arrives in lumps. Production companies, studios, software firms and engineering subcontractors may work on long projects, pay their teams monthly and invoice at milestones.

The city also has a large base of independent businesses, from cafes and restaurants to shops, breweries and food producers. These firms usually take payment by card, and their cash flow can depend on footfall, the weather and the time of year. Avonmouth and the wider port area support warehousing, haulage and distribution companies that run vehicles and equipment.

Bristol operates a Clean Air Zone in the central area, with a daily charge for some older vehicles that do not meet the standards. Companies whose vans regularly enter the zone may want to plan replacements. Check Bristol City Council's current rules before you buy.

Each of these products has its own page with more detail for Bristol companies:

• Asset finance in Bristol for production equipment, workshop machinery, brewing kit and IT.
• Vehicle and fleet finance in Bristol for vans, lorries and cars, including Clean Air Zone compliant replacements.
• Unsecured business loans in Bristol for growth projects, hiring or a new site.
• Working capital in Bristol to bridge the gap between project costs and milestone payments.
• Invoice finance in Bristol to release cash from invoices raised to business customers.
• Merchant cash advance in Bristol for independent retailers and hospitality venues with steady card sales.

Lenders that fund manufacturing firms will usually look at order books and the resale value of equipment. For hospitality businesses they focus on card takings and how trade varies through the year.

We work with Bristol and West of England companies remotely, by phone, email, chat and online. The whole process can be handled without a face-to-face meeting, at times that suit you.

1. Start with our 60-second eligibility check online. It does not affect your credit score.
2. Your dedicated relationship manager, a real person, contacts you by phone, email or chat to understand what the money is for and how your company trades.
3. They approach suitable lenders on our panel and explain the options that come back in plain English.
4. If you decide to apply, the lender runs its own credit checks and makes its own decision. Your relationship manager stays with you until the lender pays out the funds.

We do not charge you a fee. We are paid a commission by the lender when the finance completes. You can ask how much we will receive, and the amount can differ between lenders.

Can a creative company with project income borrow?

Often, yes, if it is a limited company or LLP with a trading record. Lenders usually look for repeat clients and a reasonable spread of income. Invoice finance may suit companies billing other businesses.

Is a merchant cash advance the same as a loan?

No. A merchant cash advance is repaid as a percentage of future card takings, so repayments rise and fall with sales. It can cost more than a loan overall, so compare the total amount repayable.

What happens if we miss payments on vehicle finance?

The lender may repossess the vehicle and claim any shortfall. Talk to the lender early if cash flow becomes tight, and check the agreement for early settlement terms.