Small business loans for pubs & breweries — quick funding for refurb or stock

Need fast finance to refurb, refit or restock your pub or brewery? You can access a range of rapid funding options — from short-term loans and merchant cash advances to equipment finance and invoice facilities — depending on trading, security and the size of the job. UK Business Loans helps match pubs and breweries (loan sizes from around £10,000 upwards) to specialist lenders and brokers quickly. Submitting an enquiry is free and will not affect your credit score. Get a Free Eligibility Check.

Quick answer: can I get fast funding for a refurb or stock?

Yes — fast funding is available for refurbishments, refits and stock for pubs and breweries. Options include short-term business loans and bridging finance for urgent cash needs, merchant cash advances for businesses with strong card takings, asset/equipment finance for brewing kit and cellar equipment, invoice finance for wholesale suppliers, and overdrafts or revolving facilities for seasonal stock. Speed and availability depend on trading history, turnover, security and documentation. Get Quote Now for a free eligibility check and rapid lender matches.

Why pubs & breweries need fast funding

Pubs and breweries often face time-critical costs: a refit before the summer season, bulk beer purchases ahead of a festival, emergency repairs to cellaring or refrigeration, or replacing a broken boiler or brewhouse component. Even short trading interruptions can hit revenue hard. Fast funding helps you:

• Complete refurbishments or refits quickly to reopen sooner.
• Buy stock in bulk to capture seasonal demand and discounts.
• Replace equipment or carry out emergency repairs without stopping trade.
• Fund licence or planning-related works required for expansion.

The right product preserves cashflow while delivering the work on time.

Funding options for pubs & breweries

Short-term business loans & bridging finance

Best for urgent cash needs — emergency repairs, replenishing stock or bridging a short-term cash gap. Specialist lenders and brokers can deliver funds within hours to a few days once paperwork is provided. Typical facilities start at around £10,000 and go up substantially. Pros: speed, flexibility. Cons: often higher cost than longer-term finance; may require security or personal guarantees depending on lender.

Asset & equipment finance

Use for fermenters, kegs, chillers, pumps and other brewing or bar equipment. Finance can be structured as hire purchase or lease and is secured against the equipment itself. This preserves working capital and can be arranged in days to a couple of weeks depending on valuation and supplier invoices. Pros: preserves cash, aligns payments with asset life. Cons: asset is security until paid.

Merchant cash advance / turnover-based finance

Suitable for pubs with predictable card and electronic takings. Repayments are taken as a percentage of daily card turnover; approval is often quick. Pros: repayments flex with trade; fast access. Cons: effective cost can be high in slower months; careful modelling is required for seasonal businesses.

Invoice finance

Useful if you supply wholesale accounts (restaurants, retailers) or keg distribution and have unpaid invoices. Invoice factoring or discounting releases cash tied in invoices. Speed depends on onboarding but can be fast for established trading relationships.

Business overdrafts & revolving facilities

Flexible lines for short-term stock and working capital needs. Speed varies by bank and relationship; challenger banks and specialist lenders may be quicker. Pros: only pay for what you use. Cons: facility approval can be slower if security or covenant checks are required.

Refinance & property-backed funding

For larger property refits or landlord-led works, refinance or mortgage-style loans secured on freehold property are available. These typically take longer (valuations, legal work) but offer larger sums and longer terms.

Suitability notes: tenanted pubs, managed houses, freehold operators and micro-breweries all have different lender appetites — tenanted pubs may face different security patterns than freeholds; microbreweries often benefit from equipment finance or short-term stock loans.

What speeds approval — a lender checklist

Lenders want clear evidence that funds will be used wisely and repaid. Preparing the following speeds the process:

Pro tip: accurate supplier quotes and clear spend schedules reduce back-and-forth and speed decisions.

Typical timeframes for “fast” funding

• Instant / same-day: Free eligibility checks and indicative quotes via introducers; immediate lender contact.
• 24–72 hours: Decisions for merchant cash advances and many short-term business loans once documents are provided.
• 3–14 days: Asset finance and invoice finance onboarding (dependent on valuations and checks).
• 2–6+ weeks: Property-backed refinance and larger secured facilities (valuations, legal work take time).

Factors that can slow the process: incomplete documents, complex ownership structures, disputes with landlords, or applications close to seasonal peaks when lenders are busiest.

How UK Business Loans helps you get a quick quote

We’re a specialist introducer that connects pubs and breweries seeking funding (from about £10k upwards) to lenders and brokers who understand hospitality. Our typical process:

1. Complete a short enquiry (usually under 2 minutes) — Get Started — Free Eligibility Check.
2. We match your request to the most relevant lenders or brokers in our panel.
3. A partner contacts you quickly (often within hours) to confirm details and request any documents.
4. Compare offers and proceed with the lender you prefer; there’s no obligation to accept any quote.

Example outcomes: a multi-site pub group secured £50k of winter stock finance via a merchant-cash-style facility within 48 hours; a craft brewery obtained equipment finance for a new fermenter in seven days. To explore your options, Get Quote Now.

For broader reading on comparable options, see our page on small business loans, which explains loan types and when they’re suitable.

Red flags & questions to ask lenders

Protect your business — watch out for:

• Unsolicited offers that pressure you to sign immediately or demand upfront non‑refundable fees.
• Vague cost disclosures or no clear total borrowing cost.
• Lenders refusing to confirm whether a credit check will be carried out.
• Promises of guaranteed approval without assessing documents.

Ask lenders or brokers:

• What are the total fees, charges and representative APR (if applicable)?
• Will a credit search be performed? If so, will it be a soft or hard search?
• What security or personal guarantees are required?
• Are there early repayment charges or default penalties?
• How long until funds are in account once approved?

Frequently asked questions

Ready to get a quote? (next steps)

If you need rapid funding for a refurb, refit or stock, the fastest way is to complete a short enquiry now — it takes under 2 minutes. We’ll match you with lenders/brokers who understand pubs and breweries and your likely timeframes. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check. No obligation, confidential and free.

Additional resources & internal links

• Home
• Industries — Pubs & Breweries
• Types of finance
• How it works
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Want a quick chat before completing the form? Use the enquiry link above or email our team — we’ll point you to the most relevant partners for pubs and breweries.

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1. Can I get fast funding for a pub or brewery refurbishment? — Yes — short-term loans, bridging finance, asset finance and merchant cash advances can often be arranged quickly, with decisions from hours to a few days depending on documents and lender.

2. How much can I borrow for a pub or brewery refit? — Typical amounts start at around £10,000 and can range up to several hundred thousand or more for property-backed or larger facilities depending on security and turnover.

3. Will submitting an enquiry affect my credit score? — No — submitting a free eligibility enquiry with UK Business Loans does not affect your credit score, although individual lenders may run checks later if you proceed.

4. What funding options are best for buying brewing equipment? — Asset or equipment finance (hire purchase or leasing) is usually best for fermenters, chillers and pumps because the asset itself often secures the deal and preserves working capital.

5. Can a new brewery with limited trading history get finance? — Yes — specialist lenders may consider VAT returns, director experience, purchase orders or provide equipment finance even for businesses with limited trading history.

6. How quickly can I get funds for emergency repairs or to restock for a busy period? — Merchant cash advances and many short-term business loans can fund within 24–72 hours once required paperwork is supplied, with some brokers/lenders able to fund same day.

7. What documents do lenders typically require for a pub or brewery loan? — Lenders commonly ask for recent bank statements, management accounts, supplier quotes/invoices, till/card takings, VAT returns (if applicable), tenancy/ownership details and ID for directors.

8. Can I use invoice finance if I supply wholesale accounts or keg distribution? — Yes — invoice factoring or discounting can release cash tied up in unpaid invoices and is often available quickly for established trading relationships.

9. Are merchant cash advances suitable for seasonal pubs and breweries? — They can be, because repayments flex with card takings, but they may be more expensive in quieter periods so careful seasonal cashflow modelling is important.

10. Is UK Business Loans a lender and does it cost to get matched to finance partners? — No — UK Business Loans is a free, no-obligation introducer that connects you with FCA-regulated lenders and brokers rather than lending directly.