Outsourcing finance for your business can be a daunting prospect – especially with the overwhelming range of products on the market. Whether your business is looking to purchase new assets, upgrade equipment or requires a cash injection for another purpose, Johnson Reed’s lease, loan and asset finance facilities provide a one-stop shop. Here’s the what/why/how breakdown and key features of each of our facilities…

According to the FSB Small Business Index (Q3 of 2017), there was a sharp decline in successful credit applications, with only 63% securing external finance. However, the report found that only 12% of businesses surveyed applied at all, suggesting a significant proportion of SMEs are staying away from external finance altogether. A lack of cash flow within the small business community results in less investment in growth, fewer job opportunities and fewer businesses making the transition from small to medium-sized. So why are small businesses so wary of using external funds to support their development?

At Johnson Reed, we believe the role of a finance partner goes far beyond simply facilitating funds. With many different brokers on the market, it’s important that you choose a partner that can meet your requirements quickly whilst being fully invested in your business and its success. Here are the key qualities that both businesses seeking finance and vendors should look for in a partner.

It’s been another busy year for the soft play industry, and at Johnson Reed, we’re incredibly proud to have been involved with so many new-start ventures, alongside the numerous projects involving existing operators and our repeat customers in the sector! As the market becomes more saturated, as operators it’s important to be vigilant and take the time to regularly review your offering to identify any areas for improvement. Here are just a few ideas to help you boost your business and bring more custom through your doors.

Regardless of whether you’re a new-start, growing or established business, capital is one of your most valuable assets. With money constantly moving in and out of your business, it’s feasible that you might need to consider sourcing external funds to help you manage cash flow or achieve business goals. Applying for a business loan can come with a negative stigma; often perceived as a sign of financial hardship or a last resort – but this certainly isn’t always the case! On the contrary, loan facilities can be used as part of a strategic move for a business; as more of a proactive, rather than reactive, solution.

Hospitality venues are showing resilience amongst reports of rising inflation and increasing running costs with property specialist, Cushman and Wakefield, predicting the opening of around 3000 new restaurants and cafes in the UK in the two years to the end of 2018. Aside from the continued growth of large restaurant franchises, this momentum has also been recognised on a smaller scale, with successful independent restaurants, bars and diners expanding to their second, third and fourth sites and beyond.

We’re often asked, particularly by new-start operators, ‘am I eligible for finance?’ Whilst the bank and more traditional lenders tend to operate by a very strict criteria, the process of securing finance with Johnson Reed is a straight-forward and much speedier process. The information required and the process itself can vary depending on a number of factors, and whilst we like to review each business case individually, we understand it can help to have some initial transparency on what’s involved. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a cheat sheet to give you the inside track on how asset finance is underwritten and approved in the UK.

Tax bills can be a pain at the best of times, but they’re especially frustrating if they’ve made an unpleasant last-minute reappearance on your desk! If the faff of filing your return wasn’t enough, the payment of the bill can be incredibly prohibitive to your cash flow.

Michael Jordan and Emma Payne are the Director duo behind the three-year-old Crabb Cross site in Redditch. The bar, takeaway and restaurant underwent a significant refurbishment and refit earlier this month, financed through unsecured loan and equipment leasing facilities by Johnson Reed. The new frying range unit by Hewigo is entirely bespoke, with a unique design to suit the shop’s contemporary new interior.

Established in the industry for over 13 years, Director, Jane Saunders, also owns a second site in Stevenage; The Sun Factory. As a long-standing customer of Johnson Reed, Jane has acquired a number of sunbeds for both sites through leasing agreements. On hearing about our unsecured loan facilities, Jane turned to Paula to arrange finance for various salon refurbishments. The required amount and fixed term was agreed, and the funds were arranged promptly.