Short summary (for quick search snippets): No — UK Business Loans does not charge pub owners a matching fee. Our service is free for businesses: you complete a short enquiry form (this is not a loan application), we match your request with suitable lenders or brokers, and approved partners contact you with quotes. We only receive revenue when an enquiry converts into a paid referral from a partner, not from the pub owner. Ready to get started? Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

Short answer: No — We don’t charge pub owners a matching fee

In plain terms: pub owners do not pay UK Business Loans a fee to be matched with lenders or brokers. We are a lead introducer/connector — not a lender — and using our service to request a quote or an eligibility check is free and without obligation. The enquiry form you complete is a way for us to collect the details needed to match your pub with the most relevant finance providers; it is not a loan application.

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How UK Business Loans works — and why there’s no fee for you

How introductions work (step by step)

1. Complete a short enquiry form with a few business details (name, business name, loan amount, purpose, postcode). This takes around 1–2 minutes.
2. We match your request to lenders and brokers in our network who specialise in pub and hospitality finance.
3. Approved partners contact you directly with a quote, follow-up questions or a formal application if you choose to proceed.
4. You decide which offer — if any — to accept and proceed with the provider directly.

When we are paid

UK Business Loans makes revenue only through partners: when a broker or lender pays a commission or a lead fee after receiving a completed enquiry and converting it into a client, we receive a payment. At no point do we charge pub owners for the introduction itself — there’s no upfront matching fee from you.

Example: A pub owner seeks £40,000 for refurbishment. They submit a free enquiry via our form. We introduce the enquiry to a suitable broker. If the broker subsequently works with the pub and receives a fee from the lender (or charges the broker’s agreed commission), a proportion may be paid to UK Business Loans for the lead — but this payment comes from the partner, not from the pub owner.

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What “matching fee” usually means — and why it matters for pub owners

“Matching fee” often refers to a charge by a platform or introducer for putting a borrower in touch with lenders. It can also be used to describe a broker’s fee for sourcing deals. Important distinctions:

• Introducer matching fee: a payment taken by a website or platform for an introduction. UK Business Loans does NOT take this from pub owners.
• Broker fee: some brokers charge businesses directly for their service; others are paid by lenders. Any broker fee is between you and that broker and should be disclosed before you commit.
• Lender fees: lenders often charge arrangement fees, valuation fees or interest — these are product costs, not matching fees, and are disclosed in the lender’s paperwork.

The key point: while brokers and lenders may each have fees, UK Business Loans does not charge pub owners a separate “matching fee” for using our service.

Typical finance options for pubs — and who usually pays which fees

Pubs commonly use a range of finance products. Below is a brief list and where fees normally appear.

• Business loans (secured/unsecured) — arrangement fee or interest charged by the lender; broker may be paid by lender or charge you a fee.
• Asset finance (kitchen/bar equipment) — arrangement or documentation fees with the funder; broker fee depends on agreement.
• Fit-out / refurbishment finance — lender arrangement fees; project lenders may require valuations or security.
• Invoice finance / cashflow facilities — ongoing fees and facility charges paid to the provider; brokers may charge or be commission-based.
• Commercial mortgages / buy-to-let for pubs — lender fees, solicitor and valuation costs; brokers often charge a fixed fee or receive commission from the lender.

UK Business Loans’ role is to introduce you to lenders or brokers who specialise in pub finance so you can compare these options. We do not charge you to be matched — partner fees and product charges are explained by the broker or lender you speak to.

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Learn more about sector-specific finance on our pubs page: pubs business loans.

Transparency, compliance and data handling — what pub owners should know

We aim to be transparent about how introductions work and the types of charges you may encounter from brokers or lenders. Important points:

• We are an introducer: we do not lend money and we do not provide regulated financial advice. Using our service is free and without obligation.
• Any fees charged by a broker or lender (arrangement fees, administration fees, exit fees) are between you and that broker or lender. These must be disclosed by the provider before you proceed.
• Your enquiry is not a credit application — submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score. A lender may perform a credit check later if you apply for a product.
• We only share your data with selected partners who are relevant to your enquiry. Your details are handled in line with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

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Real-world examples — short pub owner scenarios

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How to avoid surprise fees when arranging pub finance

Before accepting any offer, ask providers to give all costs in writing. Use this checklist:

• Request a full schedule of fees (arrangement, admin, exit, valuation).
• Ask the broker whether they charge you a fee or are paid by the lender.
• Get a representative example or total cost of credit and a repayment schedule.
• Confirm required securities or personal guarantees and any associated costs.
• Keep a copy of any disclosure or terms the lender or broker provides.

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Frequently asked questions

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Conclusion — what you should remember

To repeat clearly: UK Business Loans does not charge pub owners a matching fee. Our service is free to businesses. We match your enquiry to lenders or brokers, who will disclose any product or broker fees directly to you if applicable. If you want a quick quote and a free eligibility check, complete our short enquiry now — it’s not a loan application and it won’t affect your credit score.

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UK Business Loans is an introducer and is not a lender and does not give regulated financial advice. Using our service is free for businesses. Read our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions for full details.