A recent study by the Business Reporter showed that data is key to the success for SMEs. It enables them to see how their business is doing, know what their customers want and identify areas for development and opportunities. Using Artificial Intelligence (wait – what is AI?)  to harness data of predictive analytics tools how … Read more

Robots in hospitality industry

Yes, you’ve read that right. Although, we’re getting to the point where it doesn’t seem too farfetched to believe that robots could soon become the norm in various industries, and for hospitality and catering, the wheels are being set in motion with some really exciting technology. How would you feel about being served by a … Read more

Latest Fitness Consumer Trends

Gym owners, now is the perfect time to invest in your business. Why? We’re here to provide an insight into the latest fitness consumer trends to prove it. The latest consumer trends and statistics may show you why now is the perfect time to invest in your business. 59% of people in the UK are … Read more

Businesses are borrowing to grow as well as to survive

A lot of recent research is suggesting that SME’s will be crucial in Britain’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, however, will the small businesses be given the funding they need to help heave the country out of the economic black hole?

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?

Leicestershire-based patisserie producer, all about desserts, has a simple mission statement: to provide the best product at the right price, on time. Run by husband-and-wife, Craig and Clare Barton, the business specialises in patisserie; desserts, tarts, bakes, cakes and afternoon tea pastries. Earlier this year, the operation moved into a premises with the intention of increasing manufacturing capability. The facility has been kitted out with a cold room, allowing Craig to branch out further into chilled and frozen desserts to attract new clients and opportunities.

Venturing down the finance route can initially seem a little daunting, typically associated with credit checks, tedious paperwork and onerous conditions. Whilst this may have been your experience with banks and finance houses in the past, this certainly doesn’t need to be the case. At Johnson Reed, we understand the time constraints and daily pressures of running a business, and facilitate your finance requirements in a quick, simple and fuss-free manner.

In just under 2 months takeaway owners from across the country will descend into London for the biggest takeaway expo in the country. Over 5,000 takeaway owners are expected to attend, and with many business owners and entrepreneurs exhibiting, all trying to pitch for their much sought-after business.

Topics of discussion over the exhibition will include health & safety, restaurant furniture, catering equipment, the growing use of technology, social media, food marketing, franchising, and more.

Here at Johnson Reed we have an ideal that we live by: Common Sense Underwriting.

What does that mean? It means that we deal with all of our requests for finance with a common-sense approach when it comes to whether or not we provide finance to a would-be customer.

As part of this approach, we appreciate that often we get requests for finance for equipment and assets which are beyond the traditional scope of lending. Sure, we get a lot of gym equipment, catering equipment, kitchen refurbishments, that kind of thing, but we also get a lot of unusual things.

GGI Office Furniture are one of the most respected and well-known brands of office furniture in the UK. There’s a chance you’re sitting on one of their chairs right now!

Ever keen to continue providing the best service to their customers, GGI contacted Johnson Reed about helping to secure the finance for a new software accounting package and new IT hardware (including brand new desktops and servers). We were able to secure £60,000 worth of equipment finance for GGI to overhaul their ageing IT systems, based on a fixed repayment deal.

We were able to finance the total solution for our client, which was agreed within 38 hours of receiving the company information. We utilised our Tier 1 funder to secure marketing-leading range of IT hardware and software, an option which will benefit GGI greatly as it means that the finance will be tax-deductible and at a fixed rate throughout the term.