Pub Business Loans — Card-first and Mixed Cash/Card Takings

Yes — we can help. Whether your pub runs primarily on card payments or a mixture of cash and card, UK Business Loans matches pubs (from £10,000 upwards) with lenders and brokers who understand hospitality trading patterns and the documentation lenders need. Use our Free Eligibility Check to get matched quickly and without obligation.

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Short answer: Do we support card‑first and mixed‑takings pubs?

Yes. We support both card‑first pubs and pubs with mixed cash and card takings. Lenders assess the same fundamentals (profitability, trading history, licences and documentation) but the evidence they request differs by takings profile. Submit a Free Eligibility Check and we’ll match you to lenders or brokers experienced in your trading model: Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check.

How we help pubs: what lenders look for

Lenders and brokers assess hospitality businesses by looking at a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors. We help you present those clearly so you stand the best chance of a suitable offer.

• Turnover & net profit: Stable monthly sales and healthy margins reduce lender risk.
• Trading history: Most lenders prefer at least 12 months trading; some specialist products accept shorter histories with stronger security.
• Sales trail: EPOS and merchant acquirer statements are essential for card‑first pubs; reconciled till and bank lodgements are vital for mixed takings.
• Business structure & property: Leasehold vs freehold, tenancy agreements, and any property security influence product choice (asset finance, commercial mortgage, etc.).
• Seasonality & events: Pubs in seasonal locations or with irregular high‑cash events need clear explanations of peaks and troughs.
• Licences and compliance: Alcohol licence, health & safety records and local authority permissions are checked.
• Credit history: Company and director credit information is considered and may affect terms.

Underwriting differences:

• Card‑first pubs: Lenders can rely on automated daily/weekly EPOS or merchant statements to validate income — speeding decisions for merchant cash advance, short‑term loans and certain unsecured lending.
• Mixed takings pubs: Lenders will ask for till reconciliations, bank lodgements, and explanations for cash‑heavy periods. Evidence of proper bookkeeping and VAT records helps offset concerns about unrecorded income.

We advise which documentation to prepare and match you to lenders who specialise in pubs and hospitality, improving the speed and accuracy of decisions.

Types of finance available (and which suit Card‑first vs Mixed)

Different finance products suit different pub models. Below are common options and short notes on suitability by takings profile.

• Short‑term business loans / working capital: Flexible; appropriate for both card‑first and mixed takings. Card statements help speed approval for card‑first pubs.
• Merchant cash advance / card‑receipts finance: Best for card‑first pubs — repayments link to card turnover and are ideal for variable trading patterns.
• Asset & equipment finance: Suits pubs replacing kitchen or bar equipment. Cash split is less critical; asset value and business accounts matter more.
• Fit‑out and refurbishment finance: Suitable for both; freehold pubs may access mortgage/refinance options for larger sums.
• Commercial mortgage / refinance: Typically for freehold pubs and larger sums; lenders will look closely at historic accounts and property value.
• Bridging loans: Short‑term property finance for acquisitions or urgent projects—requires clear exit strategy.
• Invoice finance: Rare for pure retail pubs but useful if you have B2B sales (events, catering contracts).
• Specialist hospitality lenders: Offer tailored terms for mixed takings pubs when supported by reconciled till reports and accountant‑prepared management accounts.

Rates, fees and eligibility vary between lenders; we will match you to providers best suited to your pub’s profile.

Card‑first pubs: why many lenders prefer them

Card‑first pubs are attractive because electronic records create a transparent sales trail. Daily merchant statements and EPOS exports show trading patterns, refunds and chargebacks; this clarity reduces perceived risk and often speeds underwriting.

Practical tips for card‑first pubs:

• Provide merchant acquirer statements (full CSV or PDF) showing daily volumes, rolling averages and refund/chargeback history.
• Include EPOS reports with breakdowns by category (food, drinks, events) if available — lenders like to see consistency.
• Highlight any integrated booking, events or private hire income supported by invoices or contracts.

Example: A city gastropub that moved to a modern EPOS system and submitted 6 months of merchant statements secured a merchant cash advance within days, because the lender could verify income automatically. Ready to check eligibility? Get a quick eligibility check — Get Quote Now.

Pubs with mixed cash & card takings: lenders’ approach and how to improve eligibility

Lenders are careful with significant cash takings because it can be harder to verify whether cash has been properly recorded or declared for tax. That said, mixed‑takings pubs can and do secure finance — provided they demonstrate good record keeping and transparency.

How to improve eligibility:

• Reconcile tills daily and keep records of cash lodgements to the business bank account (photos/scans of bank slips help).
• Provide VAT returns, payroll and management accounts — these show consistency between declared turnover and bank deposits.
• Increase card acceptance where practical (contactless, table ordering) to create more electronic evidence of sales over time.
• Explain seasonal or event spikes (e.g., match days, festivals) and supply supporting evidence such as event bookings or catering contracts.
• Work with your accountant to produce clean management accounts and a short written trading summary to include with applications.

Where cash remains significant, lenders may require additional security, a guarantor, or specialist hospitality underwriting — which is why matching to the right lender is important. Start with a Free Eligibility Check: Free Eligibility Check.

Typical documents lenders will ask for

• EPOS / merchant acquirer statements (last 3–12 months)
• Business bank statements (3–6 months; longer for secured lending)
• Management accounts or statutory accounts (last 12–24 months)
• Lease, tenancy agreement or property title; any commercial mortgage statements
• Alcohol licence and any relevant permits
• ID & proof of address for directors/owners
• VAT returns, payroll records and supplier contracts (if applicable)
• Valuation or invoices for assets when applying for asset finance

Real examples: scenarios and likely finance routes

Case A — Card‑first city pub (fast working capital)

A modern city pub with predominantly card takings needed £25,000 to cover a seasonal staffing uplift. They supplied six months of EPOS and acquirer statements. Matched to a merchant cash advance provider and a short‑term business loan broker, they received offers within 48 hours and chose a solution that repaid proportionally to card turnover.

Case B — Mixed takings rural pub (equipment + working capital)

A village pub with 60% cash takings required £40,000 for a kitchen upgrade. They prepared till reconciliations, bank lodgements and two years of management accounts. We matched them to a lender offering asset finance for kitchen equipment plus a working capital facility secured on the business. Their application succeeded after additional documentation from their accountant.

Case C — Freehold pub refurbishment (longer‑term funding)

Owner of a freehold pub wanted £250,000 for a full refurbishment. With freehold title, historical accounts and projected post‑refurb cashflow, they were matched to commercial mortgage and specialist hospitality brokers. They proceeded with a structured refinance over a longer term to spread the cost.

Why use UK Business Loans?

UK Business Loans is a specialist introducer that saves pub owners time and improves the chance of matching with the right provider. We do not lend money — we connect businesses to lenders and brokers who can provide quotes and product details. Benefits of using our service:

• Fast matching to lenders and brokers experienced in hospitality and pubs
• Help preparing the right documents so lenders can assess your case quickly
• Free, no‑obligation enquiries — the form is used only to match you with potential providers
• We work with a wide panel of providers to increase your options for loans from £10,000 upwards

Ready to get tailored quotes? Start your Free Eligibility Check — Get Quote Now.

Compliance & transparency — what we are and what to expect

UK Business Loans is an introducer. We do not provide regulated financial advice and we are not a lender. Submitting an enquiry is a way for us to match your pub with lenders or brokers who will contact you with options. Submitting a Free Eligibility Check does not automatically affect your credit score; individual lenders may carry out credit checks later if you choose to proceed. Offers, rates and eligibility are set by lenders and may vary.

For more detail, see our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Do you support card‑first pubs?

Yes — card‑first pubs are often easier to verify because lenders can use EPOS and merchant statements to validate income. Start a Free Eligibility Check: Get Quote Now.

Can pubs with lots of cash takings get finance?

Yes. Lenders will look for reconciled till reports, bank lodgements and supporting accounts. Clear bookkeeping and accountant‑prepared management accounts improve chances.

Will applying affect our credit score?

Submitting an enquiry with us does not affect your credit score. Lenders may carry out credit checks later if you apply directly or choose an offer.

How quickly will lenders contact me?

Responses often arrive within hours to a couple of days depending on the product and required documentation.

What if my pub has imperfect credit history?

Because we match you across a panel, you may still be eligible. Specialist lenders and brokers handle cases with previous credit issues — provide full documentation and an honest trading history.

How much can I borrow for a refurbishment?

Amounts vary widely. For larger projects (above £50,000) commercial mortgages or structured refinance are common; fit‑out and asset finance can also be used. We work with lenders for loans from £10,000 upwards.

For a broader overview of finance options for pubs, see our industry page on pubs business loans.

Next steps — get your free eligibility check now

Ready to explore your options? Our short, confidential enquiry takes around two minutes. We’ll match you to lenders and brokers who specialise in pubs and hospitality — then they’ll contact you with tailored options.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

We only share your details with selected lenders and brokers who can help your pub. Submitting the form is not an application and is free and without obligation.

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1. Q: Do you provide pub business loans for card‑first and mixed cash/card takings?
A: Yes — we match both card‑first and mixed‑takings pubs with lenders and brokers who understand hospitality trading patterns and documentation requirements.

2. Q: Is submitting your Free Eligibility Check the same as applying and will it affect my credit score?
A: No — the Free Eligibility Check is just an enquiry to match you with lenders and does not affect your credit score; individual lenders may carry out checks later if you proceed.

3. Q: What types of finance are suitable for pubs (card‑first vs mixed takings)?
A: Card‑first pubs often suit merchant cash advance and short‑term loans, while mixed takings can access working capital, asset/fit‑out finance, or specialist hospitality lending with reconciled till reports and accounts.

4. Q: How quickly can I expect lenders or brokers to contact me after I submit an enquiry?
A: Lenders or brokers typically respond within hours to a couple of days depending on the product and required documentation.

5. Q: What documents do lenders usually ask for when financing a pub?
A: Commonly requested documents include EPOS/merchant acquirer statements, business bank statements, management or statutory accounts, lease or title deeds, alcohol licence, ID for directors, VAT returns and payroll records.

6. Q: Can pubs with significant cash takings still get finance?
A: Yes — pubs with cash takings can obtain finance if they provide reconciled till reports, evidence of bank lodgements, accountant‑prepared management accounts and clear bookkeeping.

7. Q: What loan amounts can UK Business Loans help pubs access?
A: We connect pubs with lenders offering loans from around £10,000 up to larger sums including commercial mortgages and structured refinance for major refurbishments.

8. Q: What if my pub has imperfect credit or a weak trading history?
A: You may still be eligible because we work with specialist lenders and brokers who assess each case on its merits and consider available security or guarantors.

9. Q: Do you charge for matching my pub with lenders and brokers?
A: No — our introductions are free and no‑obligation; lenders set any fees or rates associated with offers.

10. Q: How do I start the process to get the best pub finance options?
A: Complete our short Free Eligibility Check online (around two minutes) and we’ll match you with FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers experienced in pub and hospitality finance.