Restaurant Fit-Out & Refurbishment Loans — Front‑of‑House, Signage & Décor

Summary (quick answer): You can fund a restaurant fit‑out — front‑of‑house, signage and décor — using a mix of business loans, specialist fit‑out finance, asset/equipment finance and short‑term working capital. UK Business Loans (an introducer) will match your limited company with lenders and brokers experienced in hospitality to obtain multiple quotes for loans from around £10,000 upwards. Complete a short, no‑obligation enquiry to get matched quickly and compare offers. Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

What can restaurant fit‑out & refurbishment finance cover?

Finance for a restaurant fit‑out can cover most business‑related costs that get you from shell to trade-ready. Typical items lenders will consider include:

• Front‑of‑house: bar counters, seating, lighting, flooring, paint, HVAC and customer areas
• Signage & façade: illuminated signs, external cladding, awnings (ensure planning/lease consent)
• Décor, fixtures & fittings (FF&E): furniture, artwork, shelving, POS terminals
• Kitchen upgrades: equipment, extraction, refrigeration (often financed via asset finance)
• Professional fees: design, project management, structural works, permits and landlord consent fees
• Pre‑opening costs and initial stock/working capital while revenue ramps up
• Accessibility works (ramps, WCs) and minor structural adaptations where permitted

What lenders usually won’t fund: purely personal or non-business items, illegal works, or costs where there’s no clear invoice/quote. Always have written contractor quotes and, for major works, landlord or planning confirmation ready.

Which types of finance are right for a restaurant fit‑out?

Different parts of a fit‑out suit different products. Below is a practical breakdown so you can plan a blended funding approach.

Business loans (unsecured & secured)

Best for: moderate fit‑outs or launch costs from ~£10,000 to £250,000+. Terms: typically 1–5 years. Pros: flexible use, fixed monthly repayments, straightforward documentation for smaller amounts. Cons: secured loans or personal guarantees may be required for larger sums; unsecured rates vary by credit profile.

Specialist fit‑out / refurbishment loans

Best for: hospitality projects where lenders understand staged payment draws and contractor payments. Specialist lenders and brokers can structure staged drawdowns to match project milestones — useful for larger refurbishments.

Asset & equipment finance

Best for: kitchens, ovens, refrigeration, extraction and POS. Usually allows you to spread the cost of expensive appliances while preserving working capital. Options include leasing, hire purchase and asset-backed loans.

Hire purchase & leasing

Use where you want to own equipment eventually (hire purchase) or prefer lower initial payments (leasing). VAT treatment and capital allowances differ, so check with your accountant.

Commercial mortgages & development finance

Use when the work is large or tied to a property purchase — larger advance, longer term, and typically secured on the property.

Invoice finance & overdrafts

Short‑term cashflow solutions during a fit‑out or in the early trading period. Good for bridging gaps if customer receipts are delayed.

Merchant cash advance / revenue-based finance

Flexible repayments based on card takings — useful for high-card‑volume restaurants but generally more expensive. Matches repayments to seasonal turnover.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

How UK Business Loans helps you find the best lenders and brokers

UK Business Loans does not lend. We introduce your limited company to lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality and fit‑outs. Our service is free and no obligation — it’s designed to save time and increase your chance of finding an appropriate product.

1. Complete a short enquiry outlining loan amount, use of funds and company details (takes under 2 minutes).
2. We match you to lenders/brokers that specialise in restaurant fit‑outs and refurbishment projects.
3. Selected partners contact you with eligibility checks and quotes — often within hours.
4. Compare offers, terms and fees, then choose the lender that best fits your timetable and costs.

Benefit: you receive multiple options without repeatedly supplying the same information. Start your free enquiry to get matched quickly.

Eligibility, documents & what lenders look for

Typical lending criteria and documents:

• Business trading history: many lenders prefer companies trading 6–12 months or longer; some specialist partners support newer businesses with strong plans.
• Turnover & profitability: management accounts, VAT returns or historic accounts where available.
• Bank statements: usually 3–12 months of company banking to demonstrate cashflow.
• Credit checks: business and sometimes director credit histories are reviewed.
• Security: for larger loans, lenders may ask for property security or personal guarantees.
• Fit‑out documentation: contractor quotes, project plan, lease or landlord consent, and any planning/building control approvals.

Mini tip: a clear, itemised contractor quote and a simple cashflow forecast speed underwriting significantly.

Typical costs, example budgets & repayment expectations

Costs vary widely by location, quality and scale. These are illustrative ranges to help budgeting (costs exclude VAT, which should be factored in as applicable):

• Small café / coffee shop: £15,000–£50,000
• Casual restaurant / bistro: £50,000–£200,000
• Premium restaurant / larger site: £200,000+

Example scenarios

Case A — Small brunch café: £35,000 unsecured business loan over 3 years. Representative repayment (example): at 12% APR approximate monthly payment ~£1,170 — turnaround 3–10 days for offer, funding within 7–14 days after checks. (Actual rates vary by lender and profile.)

Case B — Full restaurant refurbishment: £150,000 total comprising £90,000 secured/refurbishment loan + £60,000 equipment lease for kitchen. Staged drawdowns align with contractor milestones; monthly servicing depends on mix of term and lease costs. For larger projects, lenders often offer phased funding to reduce interest on undrawn amounts.

Always compare total cost of credit, arrangement fees, early repayment charges, and any monitoring fees. Lenders will provide full terms once matched; UK Business Loans simply introduces and does not set rates.

Practical steps to improve approval odds & speed the project

• Get at least two contractor quotes — itemised and dated.
• Prepare 3–6 months of bank statements and management accounts.
• Check your lease and obtain landlord consent for structural or external sign works before committing spend.
• Use asset finance for kitchen kit to preserve working capital.
• Consider phased works to reduce the initial funding requirement and speed up reopening.
• Be transparent about previous borrowings or CCJs — brokers can often find niche lenders who will consider your circumstances.

Risks, repayment responsibilities & legal points to check

Financing a fit‑out increases fixed monthly costs — ensure your forecasted sales support repayments. For larger loans you may be asked for security or personal guarantees; understand the implications (insolvency, default remedies, cross‑company guarantees). Always:

• Confirm planning/building regulations and signage consent prior to installation.
• Read lender terms carefully, including default and early repayment fees.
• Consider independent legal and accounting advice for large projects.

Mandatory note: UK Business Loans is an introducer and does not lend or provide regulated financial advice. Lenders/brokers we introduce will provide quotes and terms — read them carefully. Submitting an enquiry does not affect your credit score; lenders may perform checks later if you proceed with an application.

Grants, tax reliefs and energy efficiency (green) funding

Include potential non‑loan funding when calculating how much to borrow:

• Local grants or business support schemes — check local authority or LEP websites for hospitality/retail grants.
• Capital allowances — plant & machinery (equipment) may qualify for tax relief; speak with your accountant.
• Energy efficiency grants — funding for LED lighting, efficient HVAC or other green upgrades may reduce long‑term costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I borrow to pay for signage and front‑of‑house décor?

Yes. Most business and fit‑out loans cover signage and décor if they are business-related and you have quotes and any required landlord/planning consent.

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.

How much can I borrow for a restaurant fit‑out?

Our partners arrange loans from around £10,000 upwards. The amount depends on business size, security available and lender appetite.

Will applying affect my credit score?

Submitting an enquiry via UK Business Loans is a soft check and won’t affect credit. Lenders may perform hard searches if you proceed with a formal application.

How fast can I get approval and funding?

Some lenders can pre‑approve within 24–72 hours. Funding timing varies by product and complexity — from days for small unsecured loans to several weeks for secured finance.

Do lenders require landlord consent?

For external signage or structural works, lenders typically expect landlord consent or a lease that permits the works. Get this sorted early to avoid delays.

Are there cheaper alternatives to a business loan?

Asset finance, leasing or phased works can reduce upfront costs. Grants or capital allowances may also lower how much you need to borrow.

Next steps — get a free quote and quick lender matches

Ready to explore finance options for your restaurant fit‑out, signage or décor? Complete our short enquiry and we’ll match your limited company with lenders and brokers who specialise in hospitality projects. It’s free, quick and no obligation.

Get Quote Now — Free Eligibility Check

We are an introducer. UK Business Loans does not lend or give regulated financial advice. We connect your limited company with lenders and brokers who provide quotes. Completing a form will not affect your credit score; lenders may carry out credit checks if you proceed. Your details are shared only with approved partners to arrange finance.

If you want sector-specific lending help for restaurants, see our industry overview on restaurants business loans where hospitality-focused options are explained in more detail.

---

1. Can I use a business loan to pay for restaurant signage, front‑of‑house décor and fit‑out?
Yes — most business and specialist fit‑out loans cover signage, front‑of‑house décor and FF&E when you have contractor quotes and any required landlord/planning consent.

2. How much can I borrow for a restaurant fit‑out?
Lenders we work with typically arrange finance from around £10,000 upwards, with the exact amount depending on your company size, security and lender appetite.

3. Which finance is best for kitchen equipment versus décor and contractor payments?
Use asset/equipment finance, hire purchase or leasing for kitchen kit and specialist fit‑out or unsecured/secured business loans for front‑of‑house, signage and staged contractor drawdowns.

4. Will submitting an enquiry through UK Business Loans affect my credit score?
No — completing our enquiry is a soft check and won’t affect your credit score, though lenders may perform hard searches later if you proceed with a formal application.

5. What documents do lenders commonly request for fit‑out and refurbishment finance?
Most lenders ask for management accounts or historic accounts, 3–12 months of bank statements, itemised contractor quotes, lease/landlord consent and director ID/credit checks.

6. How quickly can I get approval and funding for a fit‑out?
Some lenders can pre‑approve within 24–72 hours and fund small unsecured loans in days, while secured or staged refurbishment finance can take several weeks depending on complexity.

7. Do I need landlord consent or planning permission before borrowing for signage or structural works?
Yes — lenders usually expect landlord consent or lease permission (and any necessary planning/building control approvals) for external or structural works to avoid delays.

8. Are there lower‑cost alternatives to taking a business loan for a fit‑out?
Yes — consider grants, capital allowances, energy‑efficiency funding, phased works, leasing or asset finance to reduce upfront borrowing and preserve working capital.

9. Can start‑ups or businesses with poor credit get fit‑out finance?
Some specialist lenders and brokers we partner with will consider start‑ups or imperfect credit profiles if you provide strong plans, forecasts and solid contractor quotes.

10. How does UK Business Loans help me find the right fit‑out finance options?
We’re an introducer that matches your limited company with FCA‑regulated lenders and brokers specialising in hospitality so you receive multiple, no‑obligation quotes quickly and for free.