Author: Carol Jones

Pubs have existed in some form at least since Roman times. The pub is very much a British tradition, and is beloved in towns and villages across the country as a place where we can all relax and grab a drink and a bite to eat. Local pubs help to foster close communities, and for many people, it’s a lifelong dream to own one. Of course, to make that dream into a reality, you’ll need the right kind of financing. with our team working alongside you, you can optimise your chances of securing the funding you need. Continue reading “The new revival in pub businesses”

One of the most important things when establishing a hotel is the brand name, as a strong brand will prove to be a great asset in the long run. Your brand should say something about what you are offering and entice guests to want to stay with you. It must set you apart from the crowd and show that you are unique and capable of meeting the needs of your clients. Continue reading “The importance of branding your hotel”

Guest houses are present throughout every region of the UK, offering safety and comfort for travellers. Many people love the idea of opening their own guest house to keep themselves busy and to make a solid income. At Stewart Hindley, we specialise in B&B, guest house and hotel finance, and we can help you to find the funding you need to set up and operate your own guest house. Continue reading “Live out your dreams and open your own guest house”

Taking out a mortgage to open a B&B is a good way to finance your business. Funds can be obtained based on the value of your property and its assets, as well as the strength of your business plan. You can then make the repayments with the monthly revenue you earn, allowing you to repay the debts over time. Many B&B mortgages even allow you to reduce your payments in the off-season to account for the potential for a fall in occupancy. Continue reading “Supporting you with your B&B financing”

Securing finance can be more challenging if you are planning to open an independent hotel. Chains naturally find it easier because they are established and seen as a more secure bet. This may not always be the case, but lenders can get swayed by plans that are backed by a large brand. When you want to open your own hotel, B&B or guest house, you’ll need to work harder to get loans, but it is certainly possible to do so. Continue reading “Financing an independent hotel”

Many people choose to purchase a property with the specific intention of opening a bed and breakfast, but others choose to transform their existing property into a B&B in order to open up their spare rooms to paying guests. Continue reading “Converting your property into a B&B”

We are often asked about the difference between a bed and breakfast, a guest house and a hotel. Broadly speaking, a bed and breakfasts and guest houses are traditionally homes which have been converted into a business, often family run, and the owners will often live there. A guest house tends to be larger than a bed and breakfast. A hotel is usually larger, purpose built, will include more amenities and facilities, and will have a team of employed staff. Continue reading “The different forms of accommodation businesses”

Even now, when the economy is experiencing sustained growth, businesses may run into difficulties which mean they are unable to fulfil their financial obligations. When a business runs into such a situation, it’s not necessarily an indication of a fault in the business plan or financial model. All too often, it’s unforeseen and unavoidable sources which have caused financial or liquidity issues. In recent times, it has regrettably been the financial institutions such as lenders and mortgage providers that rely on successful businesses that have caused the most damage. Whilst the PPI scandal has already been well documented, less coverage has been given so far to the harm caused by the mis-selling of fixed rate loans. Continue reading “When good businesses are unfairly punished”

Research carried out by the UK’s Business Innovation and Skills shows that 71% of businesses in need of a loan will only approach one provider, and will not approach another lender if they are turned down. There are various factors that contribute to the failure to try another source. If a business owner is refused a loan, they may assume that all other lenders will also refuse their application. However, the fact is that other lenders may have alternative lending and risk criteria which means that the outcome of an application cannot be accurately predicted. Furthermore, many business owners are unaware of the alternatives that are available to them following refusal from their bank. Continue reading “Release the value of your business with specialist lending”

Owning and operating a guest house can be very costly but there is a good chance of making a great income from it. The upfront expenses will be the highest, especially if you need to buy and develop a property. You’ll also need to apply for a change of use from residential to commercial. If you are going to alter the property you could require planning permission. At the end of the day you’ll need to pay business rates and other fees too. The costs can easily add up but if you run the business yourself and get good occupancy you can make a nice income. Continue reading “You’ll need a lot of funds to start a guest house”