27/11/2020
100-year-old pie wholesaler secures five-figure NPIF loan
Barrow-based pie production company, Stable’s Pies, has received a £70,000 CBILS-backed loan following its recent change in management.
The loan is from NPIF-BFS and MSIF Microfinance, delivered by specialist social impact lender GC Business Finance & MSIF on behalf of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), the NPIF loan has enabled new owners Callum and Gina Robertson to create a new company which purchased the assets and equipment of the 100-year-old business, securing the jobs of all six staff members that have been working throughout the pandemic.
The previous owner has stepped down to retire.
Founded in 1920 as a butcher’s shop, Stable’s Pies has since pivoted to manufacture and sell wholesale pies and pasties to businesses across Lancashire and Yorkshire.
As a former bakery manager with 10 years’ experience in the industry, Callum saw a significant opportunity to build on the firm’s heritage.
Unable to receive funding through his regular provider, Callum was introduced to GC Business Finance by a broker, and the social impact lender was able to provide the necessary funding within six weeks of application.
In addition to purchasing the equipment and safeguarding jobs, Callum and Gina have used the funds to create a new administrative support role for Gina, and switched to e-commerce by establishing a dedicated website to strengthen Stable’s Pies’ online presence.
Callum Robertson said: “Without the support from Dave and the team at GC Business Finance, we would not have been able to take this step to secure the future of the business. We are really looking forward to continuing to expand our customer base and improving our recipes for years to come.”
GC Business Finance is an alternative provider for businesses unable to obtain finance through their regular bank.
It offers loans ranging from £500 to £500,000, and is committed to supporting North West-based SMEs, including providing NPIF loans backed by CBILS to those that have been adversely affected by COVID-19.
Dave Martin, senior loans manager at GC Business Finance, said: “Callum and Gina were ideal clients for us as they had a really clear idea of what they wanted to do.
“It was great to help the two of them and to see Callum move forward in his career to becoming a business owner. It is also encouraging to see businesses continuing to thrive through this difficult time with help from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and I was pleased that GC Business Finance was able to provide funding for Stable’s Pies when regular providers were unable to.”
Sue Barnard at the British Business Bank, said: “This NPIF loan, backed by CBILS, demonstrates how vital funding to Northern businesses across the region can make a real and measurable difference, securing jobs and protecting a business’s long-term future.
“Beyond expiry of the CBILS scheme at the end of January, NPIF will continue its important work across the North of England, helping to create a more equal and prosperous regional economy.”
The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank.
Read More
|
23/11/2020
Premium rum brand secures Morrisons listing with backing from NPIF
With backing from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS), Rockstar Spirits has already used the money to expand its ‘Bomb’ series of rums, a Navy strength line with 57% ABV, aged for two years in bourbon cask.
Read More
|
16/11/2020
Combined authority is first to offer Bounce Back loans with £10m package
Greater Manchester Combined Authority has pledged £10m emergency funding to support businesses based in the region and unable to access the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS). The move, in partnership with GC Business Finance, is in response to gaps in Bounce Back loan availability for some Greater Manchester-based SMEs following the second national lockdown and makes it the first UK combined authority to offer such assistance.
Read More
|
15/10/2020
Business Matters: The Northern Powerhouse - Bouncing back
Sean Hutchinson, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank, says whilst it’s been a challenging year for all, it is encouraging to see businesses across the North demonstrating green shoots of recovery, as they look to pioneer new products, reach new markets and grow their teams. Despite it being a highly uncertain time, he believes this to be proof that business are, in fact, starting to plan for the future.
Read More
|
28/09/2020
More businesses set to benefit from Kickstart following launch of tiered support offer - helping businesses of all sizes get young people into employment
THE Growth Company has launched a new tiered support offer to help more businesses access and benefit from the Government’s new £2 billion Kickstart scheme – helping young people affected by the economic fallout of Covid-19 into employment.
Read More
|
28/09/2020
GC Business Finance has provided more than £7.8m to support North West SMEs since start of lockdown
GC Business Finance has provided close to £3.1m in funding backed by the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loans Scheme (CBILS), it said, and has used its flexible Start-Up Loans product to provide £3m of support to companies across the region.
Read More
|
01/09/2020
New Lancashire fund launched to help businesses rebound
Lancashire County Council has launched the £2.25m Rosebud Rebound Fund to help businesses in the county to resume growth plans following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More
|
11/06/2020
Mayor says ‘safety must come first’ as Greater Manchester economy reopens Campaign across Greater Manchester on how to stay safe
The Safely Reopening GM initiative is a coordinated campaign across Greater Manchester aligned with the reopening of non-essential retail on 15 June and a return to work for many more people. It’s designed to ensure that employers and employees are aware of the information they need to work and travel safely during the continuing pandemic.
Read More
|
08/04/2020
GM LEP approves £3m funding to GCBF to battle impact of coronavirus on SME's
The Greater Manchester LEP, working with the Growth Company, has unlocked an initial £3m package of urgently needed financial support for Greater Manchester businesses battling the impact of coronavirus.
Read More
|
28/01/2020
Tradespeople get a helping hand after Get Work secures £100k NPIF loan
Lancashire-based Get Work, a service that generates local leads for tradespeople, has received a £100k loan from NPIF - BFS & MSIF Microfinance, a product managed by GC Business Finance & MSIF and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
Read More
|
06/11/2019
Rosebud fund makes two senior appointments
GC Business Finance has made two senior appointments to manage the £11.25m Rosebud fund created by Lancashire County Developments Ltd, with Matthew Robinson joining as Fund Manager and Jonathan Nelson taking the role of Senior Loan Account Manager.
Read More
|
11/07/2019
GC Business Finance Appointed to £11.25m Rosebud Fund
GC Business Finance (GCBF) has been appointed to bring forward Lancashire County Council's £11.25m Rosebud business finance fund.
Read More
|
20/06/2019
Trafford start-ups set to benefit from funding boost
A fund geared towards backing start-up and existing businesses across Trafford looks set to be established.
Read More
|
02/05/2019
NPIF North West Microfinance fund hits £3million investment milestone after awarding a loan of £80,000 to MyEBook
Two years after launching in 2017, Business Finance has reached a landmark £3million lending milestone, supporting over 50 businesses across the North West through NPIF, NPIF - BFS & MSIF Microfinance.
Read More
|
09/04/2019
GC Business Finance expands loans team to meet start-up demand
Manchester based responsible finance provider GC Business Finance has created three new roles within its lending team to meet the growing demand for alternative finance.
Read More
|
11/02/2019
What could an alternative finance injection do for your business?
We’ve helped thousands of small and medium size businesses to secure and invest finance into their growing businesses and they all have very different reasons for needing a funding boost.
Read More
|
11/01/2019
Try our top five New Year’s resolutions for your growing business
As part of the Growth Company, we’ve worked with thousands of incredible entrepreneurs and have put together a few of their top business growth tips here to get your 2019 off to a great start.
Read More
|
08/01/2019
Looking to start up a business in 2019 but need capital? Find out about the alternative finance options you weren’t aware of
When people decide to set up a business, one of the first things they consider is whether or not they will need finance to get their company up and running.
Read More
|
18/10/2018
GC Business Finance conquer the Three Peaks for charity
Following last year’s Snowdon climb, this year our intrepid team at GC Business Finance decided that one mountain wasn’t quite enough of a challenge.
Read More
|
09/10/2018
GC Business Finance to take on the Yorkshire 3 Peaks
Last year GC Business Finance raised over £4,000 for their chosen charities, The Christie and The Haemophilia Society, most of which came from their annual charity walk. This year the team are looking to take on the Yorkshire 3 peaks and are well on their way to smashing last year’s target whilst continuing to contribute to their chosen charities.
Read More
|
01/10/2018
Business Lending Remains Strong Despite Brexit Uncertainty
With less than 200 days to go until the UK exits the European Union and uncertainty still looming over what deal will be negotiated, if at all, it would be understandable to think that business lending would have declined or at least plateaued.
In actual fact GC Business Finance has seen a 44% increase in lending over the period April – September 2018 when compared with the same period in 2017.
Read More
|
26/09/2018
Venturefest North West 2018 proves a great success for the 5th year running
With over 1000 attendees this year’s Venturefest North West was the biggest yet providing further evidence that the region is a leading centre for innovation.
Read More
|
11/09/2018
Blackpool rescue training business set to scale new heights with funding injection
Blackpool based rescue training business Reax has secured a £35,000 investment from NPIF - BFS & MSIF Microfinance – a product fund managed by GC Business Finance GC Business Finance in partnership with MSIF and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). The investment will be used to fund new jobs and a significant expansion of the company over the next five years.
Read More
|
03/09/2018
New Head of Lending to lead GC Business Finance into fresh era of growth
We’re delighted to announce that Chris Hutchison has joined us as Head of Lending to drive growth and awareness of our loan and investment products and services.
Read More
|
17/08/2018
Greater Manchester Export Fund Helps Support Fawkes Cycles To Explore New Markets
Oldham based internet retailer Fawkes Cycles is being supported with a £50,000 loan from the Greater Manchester Export Fund (GMEF) to fund growth for the business across new European and global markets.
Read More
|
25/07/2018
Grindsmith continue to grow
Grindsmith, is converting an industrial unit into a brand-new Roastery and Laboratory following continued success
Read More
|
15/05/2018
Simon Fuller has launched Elegant Digital consultancy using a £25,000 loan
Simon Fuller has launched Elegant Digital consultancy using a £25,000 loan from the Stockport Business Finance Scheme who we work with as their funding partner.
Read More
|
03/05/2018
Husband and wife re-launch one of Leigh’s best loved shops, using a £40,000 GCBF loan
A husband and wife team is rescuing and re-launching one of Leigh’s best loved shops, using a £40,000 loan.
Read More
|
02/05/2018
Sis4ers Distillery develop drinks dynasty with GC Business Finance loan
Four sisters are following in the footsteps of their seven brewing brothers to form one of the world’s largest drinks dynasties, thanks to a £30,000 loan.
Read More
|
25/04/2018
UKBAA launch new Manchester investment hub with GC Angels
GC Angels, the angel investment arm of the Growth Company, is joining forces with the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA) to launch a new UKBAA Angel Hub for Greater Manchester, creating a focal point to build and connect angel investing across the region.
Read More
|
05/01/2018
Jake Mina Associates founder is shortlisted for a Young Microentrepreneur Award
Jake Adams from Jake Mina Associates has been shortlisted for the 2017/18 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards in the Young Microentrepreneur category. This award recognises the success of an outstanding young entrepreneur between the age of 18 and 25 who has benefited from the support of a responsible finance provider.
Read More
|
20/12/2017
Prestwich business, Barley Café is nominated for Citi Microentrepreneurship Award
One year after Sue and Laura Smith launched the Barley Café in Prestwich using a £16,000 loan from Business Finance Solutions (BFS), the duo has been nominated for a Citi Microentrepreneurship Award in the Social Microentrepreneur category.
Read More
|
11/12/2017
A start-up loan from BFS supports A 'Different Care' for dementia sufferers
Husband and wife team Samantha and Markco Yeadon are launching a new care service for Merseyside that is dedicated to looking after people with dementia, using a £20k loan from BFS.
Read More
|
05/12/2017
£90,000 BFS loan funds growth for Hesketh James
Manchester-based hospitality recruitment firm Hesketh James has secured a £90k investment to fund expansion plans from BFS.
Read More
|
24/11/2017
Ball Mania opens it's doors following funding from BFS
Timperley entrepreneur Andrew Woodrow has created the UK’s largest adult ball pool experience, using a £25k loan from Business Finance Solutions (BFS).
Read More
|
28/09/2017
Greater Manchester Export Fund backs Bolton tech business with six figure investment
The Co Angel team at Business Finance Solutions has facilitated a six figure Greater Manchester Export Fund (GMEF) investment to enable Bolton based Cyber Coach to build a new world class educational resource, Emile, which will be launched with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) this week.
Read More
|
22/09/2017
Snowdon Challenge
Members of the BFS team complete a 3 ½ hour trek up Snowdon in North Wales to raise money for The Haemophilia Society and The Christie.
Read More
|
28/07/2017
£250,000 Greater Manchester Export Fund Loan Brings Fintech Business Delio To Manchester
The Greater Manchester Export Fund has supported fintech business Delio Ltd with a £250k loan that has enabled them to launch a new office in Manchester, with the first additions to the team now in place and a planned move to the new XYZ building in Spinningfields in September to expand and grow the team by creating a further 20 new posts.
Read More
|
24/07/2017
BFS Reaches Funding Landmark
Business Finance Solutions celebrated a major milestone this month, having achieved £150m loans advanced across its portfolio of alternative finance products to start-ups and growth businesses across GM and the wider UK, from Fintech and furniture companies to bike parks and breweries.
Read More
|
17/07/2017
BFS backed seven of the 2017 Manchester Food and Drink Awards shortlist
Business Finance Solutions is toasting its lending team after providing finance to seven of the companies shortlisted for the prestigious 2017 Manchester Food and Drink Awards with one nominee shortlisted in five categories.
Read More
|
31/05/2017
Business Finance Solutions supports launch of innovative clothing range
Entrepreneur Jane Hallam has launched an innovative new clothing business that is helping women who suffer from symptoms of the menopause, using a £25k loan from Business Finance Solution
Read More
|
23/05/2017
Statement from Mark Hughes on Manchester Arena explosion
The thoughts of everyone at the Business Finance Solutions are with all those affected by the tragic event that unfolded at Manchester Arena late last night.
Read More
|
09/02/2017
Join us to hear more about the £400m of finance available for SMEs in the North
The British Business Bank together with the Local Enterprise Partnerships is holding an event in Manchester to tell local partners about the new £400m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF) and how to access it.
Read More
|
04/11/2016
MGC appoints Donna Edwards
Manchester Growth Company has announced that Donna Edwards has been appointed as Managing Director for Business Support and Business Finance. Donna had been acting as interim Managing Director since June 2016
Read More
|
24/10/2016
BFS celebrates £10m lending milestone
Business Finance Solutions is celebrating a major milestone after completing the delivery of £10million of finance. The alternative loan provider has provided business support to more than 2,385 entrepreneurs across the north west as part of the Government's Start Up Loans initiative.
Read More
|
11/04/2016
Manchester's Biggest Tech Event!
On 21st – 22nd April, Manchester will see the largest gathering of the European technology market the city has ever seen as Business Rocks innovates the market with a technology, music and investment summit like no other. With 2-day technology conference will feature Steve Wozniak, an immense start-up and tech business expo and the Innov8 start-up pitch battle award with a 50k cash prize. This awesome summit is set to awaken the market to a new era of tech events!
Read More
|
04/04/2016
Manchester Growth Company launches new £9.5m Export Fund for Greater Manchester
A new £9.5m fund has been launched as part of Greater Manchester’s bid to become more globally competitive by helping local businesses to increase their export sales.
Read More
|
12/01/2016
Business Finance Solutions lending to twice the national average of women start ups
BFS bucks national trend with 42% of business loans awarded to women in the North West
Read More
|
06/01/2016
Former EY Managing Partner joins Co Angel team as investor base hits 100
The Co Angel Investment service, managed by BFS, has significantly expanded its team with the appointment of Barry Flynn, the former managing partner of EY’s Liverpool office.
Read More
|
17/06/2015
£1m borrowed from The North West Fund for Micro Loans
BFS managed Micro Loans reaches £1m milestone
Read More
|
04/02/2015
Manchester’s Business Finance Solutions supports 1000 startups with £6 million
Manchester based Business Finance Solutions (BFS) has reached a milestone of funding £6 million of Start Up Loans to over 1000 entrepreneurs.
The funding has enabled 1100 businesses to launch across the North West, creating thousands of new jobs in the region within a wide range of businesses from manufacturing to breweries.
Read More
|
01/01/0001
DJ set for commercial hit with launch of Stockport record store
DJ and music producer Joe McBride is launching a new record store and café in Stockport using an £8,000 loan from the Stockport Business Finance Scheme through their funding partner GC Business Finance.
Read More
|
