Beware of scams

We are aware of scams coming from email and social media where people try to impersonate us. We will never ask you for money or your bank details. Learn more about what to look out for and how to protect yourself.

A Matter of Life and Debt

Businesses funded by Start Up Loans take centre stage in this new BBC documentary series

Responsible lending is at the heart of Start Up Loans

We’ve helped thousands of people start and grow their own businesses over the years.

A new BBC series, A Matter of Life and Debt, takes a look at the lives of people and their businesses, which have been transformed through responsible, ethical lending. The series will take a look at just a few of the success stories we’re proud to have supported.

Find out more about each of the Start Up Loan recipients featured in the programme below.

Academy ICT

Academy ICT

Brian Stoneman

With the held of a £6,600 Start Up Loan, Brian Stoneman was able to develop his develop his business providing affordable and scalable IT solutions for schools…

Read articleRead More

ADi Access

ADi Access

Spencer Hassel, Steve and Helen Holyer

After Steve’s eyesight began to worsen, he, Spencer and Helen began to develop audio systems to help those with visual impairments…

Read articleRead More

Berry's bakery

Berry’s Bakery

Robert D’Orville

After receiving his Start Up Loan in 2015, Robert was able to ownership of Berry’s Bakery and establish a strong reputation for bread and confectionery…

Read articleRead More

Bilbo's pet spa

Bilbo’s Pet Spa

Marion Aylott

Based in Woolaston, Gloucestershire, Bilbo’s Pet Spa offers treatments for pets ranging from grooming to hydrotherapy and weight-loss programmes…

Read articleRead More

Brett's pets

Brett’s Pets

Brett Weller

Owned and run by 27-year old Brett, Brett’s Pets has built a large following in Chorley, Lancashire…

Read articleRead More

Cocoa Amore

Cocoa Amore

Peter Gardner

After working in the pub industry for 10 years Peter Gardner taught himself how to make chocolate online and set up his first store…

Read articleRead More

Edens education

Eden Education Centre

Trevor Jones and Peter Jones

The Eden Education Centre works with children of all ages across South Wales to tackle the lack of new, young engineers emerging in the UK…

Read articleRead More

Elphius flux

Elphius Flux

Jason and Gwen Hopkinson

Elphius Flux grew from a hobby for Jason and Gwen to a fully-fledged business creating bespoke furniture from reclaimed materials..

Read articleRead More

Health & Food

Health & Food

Katerina Pavlakis

With a background running her own business, when Katerina and her husband moved to rural north Wales, they were keen to start something new…

Read articleRead More

HMW personal training

HMW Personal Training

Helen Marie Wilson

After graduating with a degree in Choreography at 27, Helen Marie set her own personal training and Pilates business to satisfy her love of movement…

Read articleRead More

Jo Boulton

Jo Boulton Photography

Jo Boulton

After five years as a photographer for a training company, Jo decided to go it alone and set up her own photography business…

Read articleRead More

Mayim Mermaid Academy

Mayim Mermaid Academy

Michelle Forsbrey

Whilst recovering from an injury, Michelle, a keen surfer and skier, experienced the fun of life as a mermaid. She’s now turned this into a business like no other, the Mayim Mermaid Academy…

Read articleRead More

Meltdown cafe

Meltdown

Laura Lautrete

With experience managing a number of high-profile London restaurants under her belt,
Laura decided to take a new culinary concept to chester: grilled cheese sandwiches…

Read articleRead More

Obvious arts

Obvious Arts

Fergus Ryan

Obvious Arts is a one-man show, set up in June 2016 by Fergus Ryan, which specialises in therapeutic activities, arts in education and performance…

Read articleRead More

Old School Barbeque bus

Old School BBQ Bus

Mark Fairley

Former steelworker Mark Fairley launched his own traditional American BBQ business in a bright yellow high school bus with the help of a £24,000 Start Up Loan…

Read articleRead More

The Sewing Room

The Sewing Room

Jacqueline Moran

After being made redundant, Jacqueline Moran realised her dream of opening an alterations business with the help of a Start Up Loan…

Read articleRead More

Yorkshire Dama chees

Yorkshire Dama Cheese

Razan Al-Sous

After travelling from Syria, and unable to secure a job, Razan Al-Sous began producing Halloumi cheese in Yorkshire. Within a year of starting Razan’s skills had gained international recognition and awards for here cheese…

Read articleRead More