Success Stories

When COVID-19 first took hold, the Royal Society for Blind Children was quick to realise its income was soon to be severely affected.

As owner and operator of several establishments throughout Cardiff, Croeso Pubs was hit hard by the pandemic and the government shutdown that followed.

Although the government shutdown had a severe effect on footfall throughout Pet Place’s five physical stores, its online business was a different story altogether.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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