Introduction — who this page is for

This guide is written for retailers planning shop refurbishments — independent boutiques, high‑street chains, concessions, grocers and food operators — who want to understand exactly what a fit‑out finance package can pay for. UK Business Loans is an introducer that connects you with lenders and brokers able to provide fit‑out funding. We do not lend directly or provide regulated financial advice; we help you compare options and obtain free eligibility checks and quotes. If you’re looking for specialist help for retail refits, you may also find our broader Retailers page useful: Retailers & Shop Business Loans.

Free Eligibility Check — submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers that suit your project.

What is fit‑out finance?

Fit‑out finance is funding specifically designed to pay for the conversion, refurbishment or improvement of retail premises. It covers work that transforms an empty or outdated unit into a trading shop or updates an existing store to a new specification. Fit‑out funding can be structured in several formats, including:

• Equipment and asset finance (for refrigeration, ovens, EPOS terminals)
• Hire purchase (to buy larger items over time)
• Unsecured business loans (where the credit profile supports it)
• Secured loans / commercial mortgages (for large projects tied to property)
• Leases or rental agreements (for non‑owned furniture or displays)
• Blended facilities (combining equipment finance with a loan for works)

If you want to see which structure suits your plan, start a quick enquiry for tailored matches: Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

What a typical shop refurbishment fit‑out finance package covers

Most fit‑out finance packages are intended to be comprehensive. They will commonly fund both “hard” and “soft” costs. Below is a breakdown of the items you can usually include in a funding request.

1) Building & structural works

• Partitioning, stud walls and internal reconfiguration
• Suspended ceilings, plastering, rendering and wall finishes
• Flooring (tiling, vinyl, timber, screeding)
• Demolition and removal of existing fixtures
• Decorating, painting and specialist finishes
• Statutory compliance works such as fire exits, emergency lighting and disabled access where required

2) Shopfront and glazing

• New shopfronts, doors and display glazing
• Security shutters, roller doors and external security systems
• Signage, illuminated fascia and awnings
• Automatic doors and access control

3) Fixtures, fittings & joinery

• Sales counters, display units, gondolas and shelving systems
• Custom joinery, bespoke display builds and back‑of‑house racking
• Changing rooms, mirrors and merchandising hardware

4) Mechanical, electrical & plumbing (M&E)

• Full or partial rewiring, new lighting (including LED upgrades)
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Plumbing works, drainage and sanitary fittings
• Extraction systems and sprinklers (critical for food users)

5) Point‑of‑sale, IT & telecoms

• EPOS systems, tills, card terminals and barcode scanners
• POS software licences, back‑office systems and inventory control
• Broadband, telephone lines and in‑store Wi‑Fi / network setup

6) Kitchen / specialist equipment (food retailers)

• Commercial ovens, fryers, grills and hot cabinets
• Refrigeration, chillers, freezers and display fridges
• Extraction hoods, grease traps and walk‑in coolrooms
• These items are commonly financed through equipment or asset finance.

7) Professional fees and project management

• Architects, interior designers and surveyors
• Project management, planning and building control fees
• Structural engineering reports and party wall agreements

8) Soft costs & opening stock

• Initial stock to open the store, promotional campaigns and launch marketing
• Staff training costs and merchandising setup
• Some lenders will include a working capital element (percentage capped) in the facility to fund opening stock.

9) VAT, contingency and permits

• VAT on capital items — depending on VAT registration this may be recoverable (check with your accountant)
• Contingency budgets (typically 5–15% included in project sums)
• Local authority permits, licences and other statutory charges

What fit‑out finance usually does NOT cover

• Residential works or conversions unrelated to trading premises
• Unrelated historic tax liabilities or personal debts
• Speculative builds without confirmed tenancy or trading plan (some lenders exclude these)
• Items outside the project scope as defined by the lender’s policy

Lender policies vary — UK Business Loans will match you to partners who specialise in retail fit‑outs and can explain specific exclusions. Get Quote Now.

How finance types map to refurbishment items

• Equipment / asset finance: Fridges, ovens, EPOS, specialist machinery.
• Hire Purchase: Larger items where you want ownership at the end of the term.
• Unsecured business loan: Fixtures, soft costs, opening stock (if credit profile allows).
• Secured loan / commercial mortgage: Large refits tied to property value or multi‑site programmes.
• Leases / rental: Non‑capital items like furniture where you prefer not to own.
• Invoice finance / overdraft: Short‑term cashflow support while works are underway.

How lenders assess fit‑out funding requests

Underwriting focuses on affordability, security and the project plan. Expect lenders to review:

• Business credit history and director(s) credit profiles
• Business age, turnover and profitability
• Detailed project plan and itemised cost breakdown (quotes and invoices)
• Security offered (personal guarantees, charges on property or equipment)
• Projected cashflow showing how repayments will be met

Practical tip: have three written quotes, a simple project timeline and conservative sales projections ready — they speed approvals and may improve terms.

Typical loan sizes, terms and costs

UK Business Loans typically organises facilities from £10,000 upwards. Typical ranges:

• Small refits: £10,000–£50,000 — asset finance, hire purchase or short business loans
• Medium refits: £50,000–£250,000 — blended facilities (secured/unsecured)
• Large programmes: £250,000+ — commercial mortgages or staged development facilities

Terms commonly range from 1–7 years (equipment finance shorter; mortgages longer). Costs depend on lender, security, and credit profile — arrangement fees, interest rate and any early repayment charges should be checked. For an estimated quote, Get a Free Eligibility Check.

VAT and accounting considerations

VAT on capital goods can often be reclaimed by VAT‑registered businesses; capital allowances may apply to fixtures and equipment. These are tax matters — speak with your accountant. UK Business Loans does not provide tax advice but will flag VAT to lenders when relevant.

Who can apply — eligibility checklist

Typical eligible applicants include limited companies, LLPs, franchisees, concession operators and established retail businesses (single or multi‑site). Documents commonly required:

• 3–6 months of business bank statements
• Recent management accounts or annual accounts
• Director ID and proof of address
• Project quotes, supplier costs and a simple project plan

Start with a no‑obligation check — it does not affect your credit score: Free Eligibility Check.

How UK Business Loans helps

Our role is to match your project to lenders and brokers that specialise in retail fit‑outs. The usual process:

1. Complete a short enquiry (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match you with suitable finance partners who can consider your project.
3. You receive quotes or a call from lenders/brokers to discuss next steps.

We are an introducer and do not lend directly or provide regulated financial advice. Use our quick form to compare options with no obligation: Get Started — Get Quote Now.

Real‑world retailer examples

Independent fashion boutique — £30,000 blended facility (equipment finance for EPOS and lighting + unsecured loan for shopfront and shelving). Approved after submitting three quotes; funds released to supplier.

Multi‑site convenience store — £300,000 staged facility combining a secured loan and equipment finance for chillers and shelving. Drawdowns aligned with site‑by‑site works to manage cashflow.

Want a similar quote? Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Key questions retailers ask — FAQs

How quickly can I get funds for a shop fit‑out?

Small equipment finance deals can complete in days; larger secured facilities may take several weeks. Matching to the right lender speeds the process.

Can I include VAT and opening stock in the facility?

Some lenders include VAT and a working capital element; treatment depends on your VAT status and lender policy — check with your accountant and the lender.

Will an enquiry affect my credit score?

Submitting a UK Business Loans enquiry does not affect your credit score. Individual lenders may perform checks later if you proceed.

Will I need to provide personal guarantees?

Personal guarantees are common, especially for smaller or newer businesses — each lender’s security requirements differ.

Can start‑up retailers apply?

Some lenders and brokers specialise in newer businesses, but terms and availability vary. We’ll match you to partners who consider start‑ups if appropriate.

What documentation speeds approval?

Three supplier quotes, recent bank statements, management accounts and a simple project timeline are the most useful documents to have ready.

Regulatory & transparency note

Ready to refurbish and keep cashflow healthy?

Fit‑out finance lets you transform your store without draining working capital. Complete a short enquiry now and we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who understand retail fit‑outs. There’s no obligation — you’ll receive tailored quotes to compare. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.