Fit‑Out Finance for Shops, Offices & Restaurants

Quick summary: If you need funding to fit out a shop, office or restaurant, UK Business Loans connects you to lenders and brokers who can provide finance packages starting from around £10,000 up to large commercial facilities. Indicative borrowing ranges depend on project size, security and trading history — complete a quick, free eligibility check to get tailored quotes. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

Quick answer / Snapshot: How much can I borrow?

Indicative borrowing ranges for shop, office or restaurant fit‑outs arranged via our partners typically start from around £10,000. Exact amounts depend on the lender, the nature of the work and security available. Typical ranges (indicative only):

• Smaller fit‑outs (basic shop/office refresh, small café upgrades): £10,000–£25,000
• Small independent shops, cafés or modest restaurant refits: £10,000–£75,000
• Mid‑sized projects (full shop refit, multi‑room office, restaurant kitchen upgrades): £50,000–£250,000
• Large schemes (major refurbishments, multi‑site rollouts, property‑linked projects): £250,000–£1,000,000+ (often via commercial finance/term facilities)

These are indicative ranges to guide expectations. The final amount any lender offers will depend on project quotes, your business’s finances, security and other underwriting criteria. To receive personalised options, complete a quick enquiry for tailored matches and quotes: Free Eligibility Check.

What types of finance cover fit‑out costs?

Different lenders offer different products. UK Business Loans will match your business with lenders and brokers who specialise in the most appropriate solutions for fit‑outs:

• Term business loans (secured or unsecured) — fixed repayments over 1–7 years or longer. Secured loans can deliver larger amounts for larger projects (typical range arranged: £10k–£500k+ depending on security).
• Asset finance / Hire purchase — spreads the cost of equipment, fixtures or kitchen plant over the asset’s useful life; often used for kitchen equipment and heavy fittings.
• Commercial property loans & development finance — for projects involving property acquisition, major structural work or multi‑site rollouts; lenders assess property value and development plans.
• Supplier / trade finance — supplier credit, staged payments or retentions arranged with manufacturers/installers to match delivery schedules.
• Invoice finance / factoring — unlocks tied‑up cash if you have receivables and need working capital to cover fit‑out timing.
• Leasing — operating leases for furniture or equipment keep expenditure off the balance sheet and preserve cash.
• Bridging / short‑term facilities — short facilities to allow immediate works before longer term refinance or drawn facility.

Sometimes lenders blend products — for example, a term loan plus supplier finance — to match complex projects. If you want more detail about specific product suitability, see our dedicated fit‑out finance page to learn more about options and typical structures: fit‑out finance.

How lenders decide how much they’ll lend

Lenders assess fit‑out requests using several core underwriting factors. Documenting each of these clearly increases the chance of receiving appropriate offers:

• Project cost & professional quotes: detailed supplier quotes, contractors’ estimates or schedules of works help lenders assess true funding needs.
• Trading history & turnover: lenders look at revenue and sales stability to judge affordability.
• Profitability and cashflow forecasts: lenders model repayments against historic and forecast cashflow.
• Credit history (business & directors): both business and principal director credit profiles affect offers and pricing.
• Security available: property, business assets, or personal guarantees enable larger or longer facilities.
• Leasehold / landlord consent: for shops/restaurants, evidence of permission for structural or major works is often required.
• Industry & location risk: some sectors or locations influence perceived risk and available sums.

What to prepare before contacting lenders: recent accounts, bank statements (typically 3–12 months), VAT returns (if applicable), detailed project quotes, tenancy or lease documents and cashflow forecasts. When you’re ready, get a tailored quote and we’ll match you to the lenders who typically fund your type and size of project.

Typical borrowing examples — real‑world illustrations

These short, anonymised examples show how fit‑out funding can be structured. They are illustrative only — outcomes vary by lender and business.

• Independent café — Funding need: £22,000 for kitchen equipment, counters and minor works. Outcome: matched with asset finance for equipment + a small term loan for works; combined package over 5 years.
• High‑street retail refit — Funding need: £85,000 for full shop refit, signage and POS. Outcome: commercial loan secured on business assets and a dealer finance element for fixtures; term 5–7 years.
• Restaurant expansion — Funding need: £300,000 for new kitchen installation, dining area upgrade and ventilation system. Outcome: blended solution using property‑linked commercial finance + bridging for immediate works while longer funding is finalised.

Examples are illustrative. For an accurate indication of what you could borrow, submit a quick enquiry and receive matched quotes from lenders and brokers experienced in hospitality and retail fit‑outs: Free Eligibility Check.

Costs, terms and what to expect

Costs and terms vary significantly by product and lender. Typical observations:

• Loan terms commonly range from 1–10 years; equipment leases typically align with the asset life (3–7 years).
• Short‑term bridging products can be 3–12 months and are designed to be refinanced into longer facilities.
• Pricing depends on security, credit profile, term and lender risk appetite — arrangement fees and early repayment charges may also apply.

When comparing offers, request the total cost of credit, any arrangement fees, repayment profile, and information on early repayment or balloon payments. Need real quotes showing actual costs for your project? Start your enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders who will provide detailed pricing.

Eligibility checklist & how to increase approval chances

Checklist lenders commonly use:

• Minimum documentation: recent business accounts, bank statements, project quotes and lease documents.
• Trading time and turnover: stronger position with at least 12 months trading (though some providers support earlier stage businesses).
• Clear, realistic cashflow forecasts covering new repayments.
• Landlord consent for significant leasehold works.

Practical tips to improve approval chances: obtain formal supplier quotes, prepare a simple two‑year cashflow forecast, confirm landlord permissions early, and consider offering suitable security where possible. To explore options matched to your circumstances, complete a short form: Get Quote Now.

Why use UK Business Loans to find fit‑out finance?

We don’t lend. Instead, we connect your business with lenders and brokers who can put together appropriate fit‑out funding. Benefits of using our service:

• Fast matching to lenders and brokers who specialise in retail, hospitality and commercial fit‑outs.
• Personalised introductions — we match on project size, sector and funding type.
• Free and no obligation — completing an enquiry does not commit you to proceed and does not affect your credit score.
• Nationwide coverage and experience with small to large funding packages (typically from £10,000 upwards).

We do not provide regulated financial advice or lend funds; we introduce businesses to lenders and brokers who can. Ready to see how much you could borrow? Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.

FAQ

Ready to find out how much you could borrow?

Complete our short, no‑obligation enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can provide tailored quotes. Submitting this form is free and does not affect your credit score. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

By submitting an enquiry you agree to be contacted by lenders and brokers relevant to your request. For details on how we handle data, see our Privacy Policy.

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Important notice: UK Business Loans is a lead introducer. We do not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Any offers or decisions are made by lenders and brokers following their own checks and underwriting criteria. Offers are subject to eligibility and terms set by the lender.

1. How much can I borrow for a shop, office or restaurant fit‑out?
Indicative fit‑out finance through our partners typically starts from around £10,000 with small projects £10k–£75k, mid‑size £50k–£250k and larger schemes £250k–£1m+ depending on security and lender assessment.

2. What types of finance cover fit‑out costs for retail, office or hospitality projects?
Fit‑out finance options include term business loans (secured/unsecured), asset finance/hire purchase, commercial property or development loans, supplier/trade finance, leasing, invoice finance and short‑term bridging facilities.

3. Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing our free eligibility check is a matching service and will not affect your credit score; lenders may run checks only if you proceed with an application.

4. How quickly will I receive quotes for fit‑out funding?
Many lenders and brokers respond within hours on business days, though timing depends on how complete your enquiry and supporting documents are.

5. What documents and information do lenders usually require for fit‑out finance applications?
Lenders typically ask for recent business accounts, 3–12 months bank statements, VAT returns (if applicable), detailed supplier quotes, lease or tenancy documents and cashflow forecasts.

6. Can start‑ups and early‑stage businesses get fit‑out finance?
Yes — some specialist lenders and brokers support start‑ups, though options may be more limited and could require stronger security, higher rates or tailored products.

7. Do I need landlord consent for a leasehold fit‑out and will lenders expect it?
For major leasehold works lenders often require evidence of landlord consent, so obtaining permission early helps avoid funding delays.

8. What’s the difference between secured and unsecured business loans for fit‑outs?
Secured loans use assets or property as collateral allowing larger amounts and longer terms, while unsecured loans rely on creditworthiness and trading history and generally offer smaller amounts at higher rates.

9. How are costs, fees and terms typically structured for fit‑out finance?
Terms vary by product and lender but commonly range from 1–10 years for loans, 3–7 years for equipment finance, and include interest, arrangement fees and potential early‑repayment charges — always request total cost of credit and repayment profiles.

10. How does UK Business Loans help me find the right fit‑out finance and is the service free?
We’re a free lead introducer that matches your business to trusted UK lenders and brokers specialising in fit‑out finance, providing quick, personalised introductions with no obligation to proceed.