Which documents are required when applying for pub finance or a pub loan?

Summary: Preparing the right paperwork makes pub loans faster and increases the chance of a competitive offer. Lenders typically ask for ID & company records, 2–3 years of filed accounts, management accounts, bank statements, property/lease documents, licences (premises & personal), EPOS/till reports, stock & asset lists, supplier/tie agreements, valuations and plans for any refurbishment. Before you apply, gather these documents and start a Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

Quick summary: What lenders want

Here’s exactly what most lenders will ask for when you apply for pub finance:

• Identity & company documents (IDs, Companies House filings)
• Financial records (2–3 years filed accounts, latest management accounts, bank statements)
• Property & tenancy paperwork (title, lease, landlord consents)
• Licences & compliance (premises licence, personal licence, hygiene ratings)
• Trading evidence (EPOS/till reports, supplier contracts, stock records)
• Assets & refurbishment quotes (FF&E list, invoices, quotes)
• Business plan and cashflow forecasts for purchases or refurbishments
• Security documentation and valuations (surveyor report, title searches)

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check (takes 2 minutes; no obligation).

Who this page is for

This checklist is for companies and directors seeking finance for: freehold or leasehold pubs, tied or managed houses, tenanted properties, single-site purchases or multiple-site pub chains, refinancing existing debt, refurbishment or equipment finance and working capital for established pub businesses. If you want to see broader sector lending options, view our page on pubs and breweries finance: pubs business loans.

Core documents every lender will ask for

Identity and company documents

• Valid passport or UK driving licence for directors/owners.
• Recent proof of address (utility bill or bank statement within 3 months).
• Evidence of company structure: Certificate of Incorporation, latest Companies House annual return and confirmation statement, list of directors and beneficial owners.
• Personal details for underwriting: director contact info and, where required, National Insurance number (for identity checks).

Financial records

• Filed company accounts for the last 2–3 years (audited if available).
• Latest management accounts (month‑by‑month P&L and balance sheet) to the most recent period.
• Business bank statements (typically last 3–6 months; some lenders ask for 12 months).
• VAT returns (last 12 months) and corporation tax returns where applicable.
• Accounts receivable / payable listings if you operate credit with customers or suppliers.

Credit and tax checks

Lenders will ask for consent to run company and director credit checks and may request HMRC tax clearance or details of outstanding tax liabilities. Ensure historic tax filings are up to date and be prepared to explain any overdue items.

Pub-specific documents

Property & tenancy documents

• Freehold: Land Registry title, title plan and details of any existing charges or mortgages.
• Leasehold/tied: full lease agreement or tenancy agreement, landlord contact details, rent/royalty schedules, length of term, break clauses, rent review provisions and any guarantor/side agreements.
• Evidence of recent rent and service charge payments (bank statements or receipts).
• Landlord consent forms (if lender requires a consent to charge or assignment).

Trading documents

• EPOS/till reports (ideally last 6–12 months) showing sales by day, week and month.
• Detailed P&L split between wet (drinks) and dry (food) sales where possible.
• Supplier contracts and brewer tie agreements, including discounts, minimum purchase obligations and exclusivity clauses.
• Recent stocktakes or inventory valuation and debtor/creditor ageing where relevant.

Licences, compliance & safety

• Premises licence (alcohol) and a copy of the operating schedule.
• Personal licence holder(s) details and proof of training.
• Food hygiene rating certificate and any supporting health & safety records.
• Gas safety certificates, EICR (electrical inspection) and PAT or equipment service records if requested.
• Planning consents for external works or entertainment licences for live acts.

Fixtures, fittings & equipment

• Fixtures, fittings and equipment (FF&E) schedule with ages, condition and estimated values.
• Photographs of key assets and any recent service/maintenance invoices.
• Quotes or invoices for planned refurbishment or fit‑out work.

Stock & goodwill (for purchases)

• Stock valuation at completion, goodwill valuation (if buying a going concern), and the solicitor’s completion pack.
• Copies of the sale agreement (heads of terms) and confirmation of deposit paid.

Documents for different loan types & scenarios

Purchase finance

• Sale agreement / heads of terms, seller’s historic accounts (last 2–3 years), deposit receipt and solicitor’s pre-completion pack.
• Valuation report or surveyor’s commentary requested by the lender.

Refinance / debt consolidation

• Existing mortgage or loan statements, repayment schedules, reasons for refinance and any consent from current lenders.
• Latest valuation and solicitor contact details for re‑mortgage.

Refurbishment / fit‑out finance

• Detailed quotes, project schedule and evidence of planning permission or landlord consent where required.
• Cashflow forecast showing income uplift from the works and how the loan will be repaid.

Asset & equipment finance

• Invoices or quotes for the items, photographs and VAT status of assets.

Working capital / cashflow facilities

• Sales history, recent EPOS reports, creditor terms and debtor ageing (if applicable).

Security, guarantees and valuations

Typical lender security for pub finance includes a commercial mortgage on freehold, a legal charge on a leasehold interest, fixed and floating charges over company assets, or charges over fixtures & fittings. Many lenders require personal guarantees from directors or owners; in those cases expect to supply director ID, personal bank statements and proof of other property ownership.

Professional valuations and surveys (RICS surveyor or commercial valuation) are commonly required — these add cost and typically take 1–3 weeks. Budget for survey fees when planning timelines.

What lenders check that you may not expect

• Till audits vs declared turnover — lenders will reconcile EPOS with bank lodgements and may query unexplained cash deposits.
• Adverse credit entries on directors, CCJs or previous company dissolutions involving connected parties.
• Outstanding HMRC liabilities or VAT arrears; lenders often request HMRC clearance or payment plans.
• Breach of lease covenants — surveyors and lenders will review lease terms for trading restrictions or landlord consent requirements.

Tip: reconcile tills to bank deposits before applying and collect supplier references and landlord confirmation early to avoid delays.

How to prepare to speed up your application

Follow this practical checklist to move faster through the application process:

1. Gather ID for all directors and proof of address.
2. Collect filed accounts (2–3 years) and prepare updated management accounts and cashflow forecasts.
3. Export EPOS/till reports and prepare a sales summary by month.
4. Locate title deeds or lease and request landlord consent if needed.
5. Compile stock valuations, FF&E list and any refurbishment quotes.
6. Engage a solicitor early (commercial property experience recommended).
7. Decide realistic loan amount (we typically arrange loans from £10,000 and upwards) and purpose.

Have these ready — then Get Quote Now for a free eligibility check and to be matched with lenders/brokers who specialise in pubs.

How UK Business Loans helps

We’re an introducer that connects your enquiry with experienced lenders and brokers who understand pubs and hospitality. Complete a short enquiry and our network will review your details to match you with suitable partners — it’s free and non‑binding. We do not lend money; we introduce your enquiry so the right provider can contact you with options.

Typical process: Enquiry form → match → lender/broker contacts you → compare offers → decide. Submitting a form is not an application; it’s an information step to help match you to the best provider.

Frequently asked questions

Will applying affect my credit score?

No. Submitting a Quick Enquiry via UK Business Loans is a no‑obligation eligibility check and does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks later if you choose to proceed.

Do I need a premises licence to apply?

You do not always need to hold a premises licence to start a discussion with lenders, but most lenders will expect to see the licence (or evidence it can be transferred) before completing a loan intended for trading pubs.

Do lenders always ask for personal guarantees?

Not always, but many lenders will ask for them, particularly for smaller companies, owner‑managed businesses or where the security does not fully cover the loan. Terms vary by lender.

How long does a typical decision and completion take?

If documents are ready, you can receive indicative offers within days. Full completion — including valuation, solicitor searches and legal completion — commonly takes 4–8 weeks.

Final CTA & next steps

Ready to apply? Gather the documents above and start your free eligibility check now — it takes about 2 minutes. No obligation: we’ll match you with lenders and brokers who specialise in pub finance. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

UK Business Loans is an introducer only; we are not a lender and do not provide regulated financial advice. We connect your enquiry to third‑party lenders or brokers who may contact you. Submitting an enquiry will not affect your credit score. Terms, eligibility and charges vary by lender.

1. What documents do I need to apply for pub finance or a pub loan?
– Lenders typically require ID and Companies House records, 2–3 years of filed accounts, recent management accounts, bank statements, EPOS/till reports, lease or title documents, licences, FF&E and stock lists, supplier agreements and any refurbishment quotes.

2. Will submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
– No — submitting a free eligibility check with UK Business Loans is not a credit application and won’t affect your credit score, though lenders may run checks later if you proceed.

3. How long does it take to get a decision and complete a pub loan?
– Indicative offers can arrive within days if documents are ready, while full completion including surveys and legal work usually takes around 4–8 weeks.

4. Do lenders usually ask for a personal guarantee on pub loans?
– Many lenders, especially for smaller owner‑managed businesses or unsecured facilities, will request personal guarantees from directors or owners, though requirements vary by lender.

5. Can I get pub finance if I have limited trading history or bad credit?
– Specialist lenders may consider purchase finance for pubs with limited trading history if there’s strong security, a credible business plan and evidence of future revenue, and some lenders specialise in cases with imperfect credit.

6. How much can I borrow for a pub — what are typical loan amounts?
– Through our network you can typically access finance from around £10,000 up to multi‑million commercial facilities depending on security, business profile and lender appetite.

7. Do I need a premises licence before applying for a pub loan?
– You don’t always need the premises licence to start an enquiry, but most lenders expect to see the licence (or proof it can be transferred) before completing funding for a trading pub.

8. What security do lenders normally require for pub loans?
– Common security includes a commercial mortgage on freehold, a legal charge on leasehold interests, fixed and floating charges over company assets and charges over fixtures & fittings, often alongside personal guarantees.

9. What additional checks might lenders carry out on pub finance applications?
– Lenders will reconcile EPOS/till reports with bank lodgements, run company and director credit checks, review HMRC liabilities, and check lease covenants and landlord consents for trading restrictions.

10. How do I start the process with UK Business Loans to find the right pub lender or broker?
– Complete the short online enquiry (takes about 2 minutes) for a free, no‑obligation eligibility check and we’ll match you with experienced UK lenders and brokers who specialise in pub and hospitality finance.