Success Stories

Specialising in anti-ageing skin treatments, 2 Faced Aesthetics worried it may not have been able to cover its direct debits when COVID-19 struck.

Having taken on the business in 2018, the owners of this coaching inn, bar and restaurant were finally ready to see a profit for their endeavour. But when COVID-19 caused them to close, all their income disappeared and they were forced to make staff redundant.

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.

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).

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.

Marwell Wildlife was forced to close its zoo when the Government implemented the shutdown to fight COVID-19. With no visitors paying to enter the zoo, but ongoing costs to meet for the animals’ upkeep, the company sought financial support via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) before its cashflow dried up.

Like most hospitality businesses, the Greenhill Hotel was instructed to close its doors to visitors, to help stop the spread of COVID-19. With no date for when it would be able to reopen, and unable to qualify for any government grants, the business found the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) to be its best option for financial support.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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