Pubs equipment finance: Cellar cooling, refrigeration & kitchens
Quick summary (TL;DR)
Yes — you can finance cellar cooling, refrigeration and kitchen equipment for your pub. Lenders and brokers offer asset finance (hire purchase, leasing), business loans, rental and specialist green finance to cover new chillers, cellar cooling plants, walk-in chillers and commercial kitchens. UK Business Loans connects pubs with lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality so you can get a fast, no‑obligation Free Eligibility Check. Get Quote Now.
We act as an introducer to lenders and brokers — we don’t provide loans directly. Submitting an enquiry is free and won’t affect your credit score.
Why finance cellar cooling, refrigeration & kitchen equipment?
An unexpected chiller failure or unreliable cellar cooling can cost a busy pub thousands in spoiled stock, lost takings and reputational damage. Modern, energy-efficient equipment reduces running costs, helps meet food-safety standards and keeps service reliable during peak trade and events.
Financing lets you spread the cost, replace kit quickly to avoid downtime, and preserve working capital for day-to-day operations. Whether you’re replacing an ageing cellar cooler, installing a new walk‑in chiller, or upgrading ovens and extraction in the kitchen, finance can be tailored to the scale of the job and how quickly you need funds.
Free Eligibility Check — complete a short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in pub equipment finance.
What types of finance are available for cellar cooling, refrigeration & kitchens?
Equipment finance / Asset finance
Common for single large purchases like cellar plants, walk‑in chillers, cold rooms and commercial kitchen suites.
- Hire Purchase (HP) — you hire the equipment and own it at the end of the term. Typical terms: 2–5 years. Deposit often 0–20% depending on credit and lender.
- Finance lease / operating lease — lower initial outlay; ownership usually stays with the funder. Good for off‑balance-sheet options and short‑term needs. Terms: 2–5 years or shorter for seasonal kit.
- Chattel mortgage — lender takes a charge against the equipment; useful for higher-value fixed assets.
Business loans (secured / unsecured)
Standard business loans can fund equipment plus fit‑out and installation. Useful when you want a single repayment schedule rather than multiple agreements. Terms vary widely — from 1 to 7+ years — and loans of £10,000 and upward are typical for our panel.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
Commercial hire & rental
Shorter-term hire preserves cashflow and delivers fast replacement — ideal for urgent failures or seasonal boosts. Rental agreements often include maintenance and servicing.
Supplier finance & green/energy-efficiency finance
Some suppliers offer finance packages (sometimes with favourable rates for energy-efficient kit). Lenders also offer sustainability or green loans for low-energy refrigeration which can reduce monthly costs and help with grant eligibility.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
Invoice finance & cashflow loans
If a refurbishment or equipment upgrade creates a temporary cashflow gap, invoice finance or short-term working capital loans can bridge that period while keeping the project moving.
Merchant cash advance or emergency bridging
Designed for urgent replacements when downtime would be costly. Expect higher costs but very fast access to funds.
Which product suits you depends on cost, urgency, balance‑sheet preference and whether you want eventual ownership. To compare options quickly, Get Quote Now.
Who can get finance? Eligibility checklist
Typical applicants our lenders and brokers work with include limited companies, partnerships and franchised pub groups. We work with pub operators, landlords and multi‑site owners seeking finance from approximately £10,000 upwards.
- Minimum finance value: usually £10,000 and above for many lenders on equipment/asset deals.
- Trading history: many lenders prefer at least 12 months to 2 years’ trading history for standard terms; specialist lenders may work with newer operators.
- Turnover & profitability: lenders assess turnover bands and cashflow to set terms.
- Credit profile: good business credit helps, but options exist for imperfect records through specialist brokers.
- Security & guarantees: some facilities require a charge against the equipment or a director guarantee for higher-value deals.
Common documents lenders request: proof of ID for directors, business bank statements (3–6 months), recent management accounts or annual accounts, VAT registration details, and supplier quotes or pro forma invoices for the equipment.
Complete Our 1-Minute Enquiry Form Now – Get a No-Obligation Quote
For sector-specific support and to see lender choices for pubs, read more about our pubs business loans partners pubs business loans.
Typical costs, term lengths & interest considerations
Costs depend on finance type, security, credit history and equipment age. Below are illustrative ranges — use them as a guide, not a quote.
- Asset finance (HP/lease): typical terms 24–60 months. Monthly payments calculated on price minus deposit. Effective rates vary widely — illustrative APRs might range from low double digits to higher depending on risk.
- Business loans: terms 12–84 months. Secured loans usually offer better rates than unsecured facilities.
- Rental/hire: short terms (months to 2 years); often more expensive monthly but preserve cashflow and include maintenance sometimes.
- Merchant cash advances: very fast but more expensive; repayments tied to card takings.
Example illustration (indicative only): a £15,000 commercial fridge on HP with a 10% deposit, 4‑year term — monthly payments could be in the region of £280–£360 depending on rate and fees. Total cost depends on arrangement fees, maintenance packages and any early repayment charges. Always ask lenders for a full APR and total payable figure.
Tax & accounting: equipment finance often qualifies for capital allowances and VAT handling varies by product and supplier. We recommend speaking to your accountant for precise tax treatment.
How the application process works (UK Business Loans role)
We make the process straightforward:
- Complete our short enquiry (under 2 minutes) — state the equipment, approximate cost and contact details via our form: Get Quote Now.
- We match your enquiry to lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality and equipment finance.
- You’ll receive contact from matched partners with tailored quotes and next-step requirements (usually within hours during business days).
- Choose the lender you prefer, complete their application and accept terms. Funds or the hire/rental contract follow once the lender’s checks are complete.
Typical timings: quotes can arrive within hours; funding for hire/rental can be same day, while loans and some asset finance deals may take 1–3 weeks depending on paperwork and installations.
Note: UK Business Loans is an introducer — we do not provide the finance ourselves. Submitting an enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score.
Practical tips to improve approval chances & reduce cost
- Get 2–3 supplier quotes to show lenders competitive pricing and installation costs.
- Prepare recent bank statements and management accounts — lenders like to see clear cashflow.
- Consider a deposit to secure a lower rate; weigh deposit vs monthly savings.
- Choose energy‑efficient equipment — you may access green finance or supplier deals.
- Include maintenance and installation quotes in the application so lenders see total project costs.
- Work with a specialist broker if your credit profile is complex — they know which lenders accept seasonal hospitality income.
Ready to compare options? Start your Free Eligibility Check.
Case studies — real scenarios
Example 1 — Single-site pub: cellar cooling replacement
A 60-cover local pub with failing cellar kit needed a fast replacement. The operator used asset finance (hire purchase) to spread a £12,500 cost over 4 years with a small deposit. The unit was installed within days, downtime was minimised and monthly cashflow impact was manageable.
Example 2 — Multi-site operator: kitchen upgrade & preserve working capital
A small multi-site operator wanted new kitchens across two sites and to preserve working capital. The broker arranged a blended solution: equipment finance for ovens and refrigeration, plus invoice finance to ease short-term cashflow during installation. This allowed phased upgrades without tapping overdrafts.
Our Business Finance Matching Process
Step 1
Complete Your Details
It takes just 1 minute on average to complete your business and contact details.
Step 2
We Match Your Business
With the best business finance broker or lender most suitable for your needs.
Step 3
You Get Free Quote + Advice
You receive a free quote along with complimentary expert financial advice.
It’s fast and free to get a quote from one of the UK’s leading finance brokers / lenders who will contact you directly with your quote/s.
FAQs
Q: Is it possible to finance cellar cooling, refrigeration and kitchen equipment for my pub?
A: Yes. Most pubs finance these items using asset finance (hire purchase, leasing), business loans, rental or specialist green finance. Submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who can provide quotes.
Q: Can I get financing if I have limited trading history or poor credit?
A: Possibly. Some specialist lenders and brokers work with newer businesses or those with imperfect credit. Terms and costs will vary — it’s best to submit an enquiry so we can find suitable partners.
Q: How long does approval and funding take?
A: Quotes often arrive within hours. Funding times depend on product: rental/hire can be same day, asset finance and loans typically 3–14 business days after paperwork is complete.
Q: Do you provide the finance directly?
A: No. UK Business Loans introduces your enquiry to lenders and brokers. They will issue offers and carry out their own checks.
Q: Will applying affect my credit score?
A: Submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks when you apply for a formal offer, and they will tell you if a hard search is required.
Next steps — get a fast, free eligibility check
Ready to replace or upgrade cellar cooling, refrigeration or kitchen equipment? Complete our short form and we’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in pubs. Quotes usually arrive within hours — there’s no obligation. Get Quote Now.
Free, no-obligation service. We’re an introducer and do not lend funds directly. Submitting an enquiry won’t affect your credit score.
1) Can I finance cellar cooling, refrigeration and commercial kitchen equipment for my pub? — Yes — pubs commonly use asset finance (hire purchase, leasing), business loans, rental or specialist green finance to fund cellar cooling, walk‑in chillers and commercial kitchens, and UK Business Loans can match you to lenders and brokers.
2) What finance options are available for pub equipment like chillers and ovens? — Typical options include hire purchase, finance/operating leases, chattel mortgages, unsecured or secured business loans, short‑term rental/hire, invoice finance and merchant cash advances for urgent needs.
3) How much can I borrow to replace a walk‑in chiller or upgrade a kitchen? — Many lenders on our panel start around £10,000 for equipment finance, with facilities scaling up to much larger sums depending on the lender and your needs.
4) Can pubs with limited trading history or poor credit get equipment finance? — Possibly — specialist lenders and brokers work with newer businesses or imperfect credit profiles, though terms and costs will vary and it’s best to submit an enquiry to see matches.
5) How fast can I get quotes, approval and funding for refrigeration or kitchen kit? — You’ll often receive quotes within hours, with rental/hire possible same day and asset finance or business loans typically completing in 1–3 weeks after paperwork is provided.
6) Will submitting an enquiry with UK Business Loans affect my credit score or commit me to an application? — No — completing our free eligibility enquiry won’t affect your credit score and is not a formal application; lenders will only perform credit checks if you proceed with a specific offer.
7) What documents do lenders usually require for pub equipment finance applications? — Lenders typically ask for director ID, 3–6 months business bank statements, recent management accounts or annual accounts, VAT registration details and supplier quotes or pro forma invoices.
8) Can I access green or energy‑efficiency finance for new refrigeration and cellar cooling? — Yes — some lenders and suppliers offer green or sustainability‑focused finance and preferential rates for energy‑efficient refrigeration and kitchen equipment.
9) Will I own the equipment at the end of the finance term and how is VAT treated? — Ownership depends on the product (hire purchase usually transfers ownership at term end; leases often retain funder ownership) and VAT/tax treatment varies, so check contract terms and consult your accountant for capital allowance implications.
10) How can I improve approval chances and reduce the cost of financing pub equipment? — Improve your chances by providing 2–3 supplier quotes, clear bank statements and accounts, considering a deposit, choosing energy‑efficient kit, including installation/maintenance costs, and working with a specialist broker for hospitality finance.