Business Loans For Bars
How much funding are you looking for?
Top reasons bar owners take out business loans
The number one reason many bar owners take out a business loan is to help maintain a steady cash flow and ensure they have enough working capital to meet all their expenses as they fall due.
Tax, insurances, rent, licences and wages all have to be paid on time even when income fluctuates, and cash flow issues can bring down even the most well established bar, no matter how profitable you are on paper.
If you’re running a bar your business could be impacted by a huge number of factors, from the seasons and weather to local or even national events. You need to be sure you have the funds to lay in more stock and hire extra staff to manage busy periods, and to cover your bills during the slower times.
Other bar owners turn to business finance to help them stay ahead in the highly competitive hospitality market. The funds from a business loan could help you to rebrand and market your bar to attract new customers, to refurbish your premises to help you stay fresh and interesting to your clientele, or to hire skilled staff and top-line entertainers for your venue.
If you’re ready to capitalise on the success of your bar, you could use the funds from a business loan to expand your premises or set up another bar elsewhere.
What are the requirements for getting a business loan?
Getting a business loan can be easier than you think.
While you can still expect to be knocked back by the big banks unless you have a solid trading history, a top-rate credit rating and collateral to offer, there are plenty of alternative lenders out there willing to offer business loans to bars.
Each lender will have their own criteria when it comes to things like credit rating, how long you’ve been in business, and how high your turnover is.
If you’re higher risk (e.g. if your credit score is low) you may still be able to get a business loan, although you can expect to pay a higher rate of interest to compensate for that risk.
The most important factor ALL lenders will look at is your capacity.
Lenders need to know that you will have enough cash – after all your expenses – to cover your loan repayments.
How to apply for a business loan
- Personal and business ID documents
- 6 – 12 months bank statements
- Evidence that you’ve been in business for the lenders’ minimum period
Grow your bar business
See if you qualify
What options are available to bars?
There are several types of small business loans you could consider, to support or grow your bar.
Unsecured small business loan
A short-term option, unsecured business loans are usually for between 3 months and 2 years.
You can use the funds for any purpose. Many lenders will let you set a repayment schedule to suit your trading patterns.
Equipment loan
A specific-purpose business loan secured on the equipment you are buying, such as commercial bar equipment.
The term will often be tied to the lifespan of the equipment. You will not be able to sell or upgrade the equipment until you have repaid the equipment finance.
Vehicle loan
There are several types of business car finance you can use to buy vehicles for business use, including car loans, hire purchasing and leasing. While your work vehicles are under finance you will not be able to sell or upgrade them.
Business line of credit
A business line of credit is similar to an overdraft facility, giving you access to cash up to an agreed limit, often with the right to draw, repay and redraw funds as you need them.
You only pay interest on what you borrow, but there are often set up and admin fees.
Business credit card
Business credit cards are great for covering day-to-day expenses and making purchases, but unless you clear the balance each month the cost can be extremely high.
Before entering in to any business loan agreement, be sure to seek professional advice. It’s also important to ensure you understand all of the costs (including all fees). You can get a head start by using our business loan calculator.