The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is live - contact us today 01473 553 430
The Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS) is live - contact us today 01473 553 430
Banks have become gatekeepers instead of growth partners.
For thousands of UK businesses, this simply isn’t sustainable. Banks have become painfully slow, inflexible, and increasingly out of touch with how modern businesses actually operate.
As funding pipelines dry up, alternative lending is stepping in to do what traditional finance won’t: actually support ambitious SMEs. It’s not just a trend, it’s a shift. A massive, long-overdue rebalancing of power in the business finance world; a lifeline for UK businesses who need access to capital NOW, not three months after the opportunity’s disappeared.
Here’s the brutal truth: the UK’s SME economy is in a chokehold.
At the same time, traditional lenders are retreating into their risk-averse bunkers. Approval times are longer. Criteria are tighter. And for too many SMEs, access to capital is grinding to a halt just when they need it most.
The good news? Business finance has finally evolved beyond the “bank says no” narrative. We’re no longer stuck with templated term loans and rigid eligibility criteria. Alternative finance is stepping in and doing what the banks simply can’t (or won’t) do.
This sector is booming. This isn’t about scrappy startups or distressed businesses clawing for survival. This is mainstream finance for modern SMEs.
Think of alternative lending as a whole ecosystem, not one product, but a toolbox. And if you’re smart, you’ll stop trying to hammer in every funding challenge with the same tired loan structure. This includes:
– Fintech lending platforms
These are digital-first lenders built for speed.
Unlike traditional banks that rely on old paperwork and risk-averse credit teams, fintech platforms use real-time data, things like card transactions, accounting software integrations, online reviews, and live bank feeds. That means faster decisions (often within hours), minimal paperwork, and funding that reflects how your business is actually performing today.
Perfect for businesses needing short-term working capital, fast.
– Revenue-based finance
If your business has consistent monthly income, like a subscription model, an ecommerce store, or a SaaS platform, this one’s a smart fit. Instead of borrowing a fixed sum with fixed repayments, you repay a percentage of your monthly turnover. So if you earn more, you repay more. If you earn less, you repay less.
There’s no interest in the traditional sense, and no pressure from rigid monthly instalments. It’s flexible, performance-driven finance that scales with your success.
Perfect for businesses with predictable recurring revenue who want to grow without cash flow stress.
– Invoice finance
If you regularly wait 30, 60, or even 90+ days to get paid, you know the pain of a stretched cash flow.
Invoice finance lets you unlock the value of unpaid invoices, often within 24 hours, so you can access the cash you’ve already earned, without waiting for clients to pay.
It’s fast, discreet, and helps bridge the gap between completing work and receiving payment.
Perfect for B2B firms in recruitment, consultancy, manufacturing, and wholesale.
– Peer-to-peer lending
This isn’t Kickstarter – it’s regulated, investor-backed lending via trusted platforms.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) loans are funded by real investors looking to support credible businesses. You apply online, get matched with investors, and receive capital at competitive rates, often faster and more flexibly than a bank.
Many platforms take a more human approach to risk, which means stronger businesses that fall outside rigid banking criteria can still secure funding.
Perfect for SMEs who want affordable loans without the bank bureaucracy.
– Asset finance
Need to upgrade your fleet, lease a commercial oven, or invest in expensive kit?
Asset finance lets you spread the cost of equipment over time, using the asset itself as security. That means less risk for the lender and more capital freed up for other parts of your business.
You get to upgrade, scale or modernise without having to save up or compromise cash flow.
Perfect for firms in logistics, construction, manufacturing, retail, and F&B.
There’s good reason that alternative lending is becoming so popular. It’s helping SMEs:
– Scale faster, without giving away equity
Need to grow quickly? Alternative finance gives you the cash to do it, without waiting months or selling shares.
– Launch new products or pivot fast
Cash on hand means you can move when the market moves, not six weeks later.
– Smooth out seasonal highs and lows
If your income isn’t steady all year, flexible funding helps keep things stable during quiet months.
– Invest in your team or tools
Want to hire or upgrade your setup? Alternative finance lets you invest now, not “when we can afford it.”
– Jump on new opportunities
See a great deal on stock, kit, or a business buyout? Get the funding in days, not months.
Here’s what we tell our clients: don’t wait for the banks to come around. Take control of your finance strategy now.
1. Assess your cashflow bottlenecks
Are you waiting too long to get paid? What’s blocking growth? That’s where funding should flow.
2. Identify your fastest levers for ROI
What would you do tomorrow if you had access to £50k, £100k or £250k? Whether it’s stock, staff or marketing, your funding should match your ambitions.
3. Explore blended funding options
It’s not either/or. Combine traditional loans, government schemes, and alternative finance to give your business the resilience and headroom it needs.
4. Speak to a broker who understands the full picture
Not just one lender’s product. Not just one way of thinking. A broker (like us) can tailor a finance strategy across all available options.
Don’t let the state of traditional lending bog you down.
Alternative lending is proving, time and time again, that it works. We work with growth-focused SMEs who want to unlock capital without the corporate runaround. Whether you’re after a short-term cash boost or a longer-term investment strategy, we’ll help you build a funding mix that actually fits your business.
So, whether you just want to talk it through, or you’re ready to pull the trigger, we’re all ears. You can get in touch using the details below:
At Jones & Co, we understand that every business is unique, and so are its financial needs.
That’s why we craft tailored finance solutions that enable businesses to thrive, no matter the challenge or opportunity.
With access to a vast network of trusted lenders, we’re here to simplify the process, offering straightforward, personalised guidance designed around you and your goals. Whether you’re looking to manage cash flow, invest in growth, or expand operations, our experts are ready to connect you with the ideal funding solution.
Contact our expert team today for a free, no-obligation consultation and take the first step toward business growth.
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From Trafford Park to Ancoats, and from Wythenshawe to Salford Quays, this city’s business scene is alive with ambition
And it’s not just talk.
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That’s why merchant finance has been gaining traction across the UK. It’s flexible, fast, and surprisingly fair. This form of funding is quietly becoming a go-to lifeline for UK businesses, particularly those that take the bulk of their payments by card.
But what exactly is merchant finance, and why are so many switched-on businesses turning to it? Let’s break it down.
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But what does this actually mean for everyday borrowers, businesses, and the finance providers behind the scenes? Let’s take a closer look.
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In the last week or so, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a series of tariffs impacting global trade, including a 10% tariff on all British exports to the United States.
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