Pubs and bars combine high fixed costs with famously uneven trade — quiet midweek lulls, big weekend and event-driven peaks, and sharp seasonal swings around summer and Christmas. Finance helps you refurbish, upgrade cellar and bar equipment, stock up ahead of busy periods, and steady the cash flow in between. With strong card and contactless takings, funding that repays as a share of sales aligns neatly with how a venue actually earns.
Why Pubs & Bars use business finance
The defining challenge is volatility. A wet bank holiday, a quiet winter or a major local event can swing weekly takings dramatically, while rent, staff, utilities and supplier terms stay fixed. Hospitality is also viewed as higher-risk by lenders, so demonstrating consistent takings and a clear purpose — and choosing funding that does not bite hard in a quiet week — is key.
What pub businesses fund
- Refurbishments, gardens and outdoor areas
- Cellar cooling, bar and glasswash equipment
- Stocking up for peak and festive trade
- Covering quiet midweek or seasonal periods
- Live events, entertainment and marketing
- Staffing for busy periods
Finance options for Pubs & Bars
The right product depends on how you trade and what you need the money for. These are the options we most often arrange for pub businesses:
How to get funding for your pub business
Getting started takes minutes. Tell us a little about your business and how much you need, and we compare suitable lenders from across the market — including options for newer businesses and those with imperfect credit. There is no obligation, and the initial check is a soft search that leaves no mark on your credit file. If you are happy with an offer, you proceed; if not, you walk away.
- Tell us what you need — the amount, purpose and a little about your pub business.
- We compare lenders across unsecured loans, merchant cash advances and government-backed options.
- Review your offers on total cost and terms, with no obligation to proceed.
- Get funded — often within a few days where your information is ready.
Business loans for Pubs & Bars — FAQs
What funding is available for pubs?
Pubs commonly use merchant cash advances for flexible, sales-linked cash flow, unsecured loans for fixed projects like a refurbishment, and the Growth Guarantee Scheme for larger investment. The best fit depends on the amount and purpose.
Can a pub get a loan to refurbish?
Yes. An unsecured business loan is well suited to a one-off refurbishment with a known cost, giving you a lump sum and fixed repayments. Larger refits may also suit Growth Guarantee Scheme lending.
Is a merchant cash advance suitable for a bar?
Yes — bars typically take a high proportion of payments by card, so an advance that repays as a percentage of takings flexes naturally with weekend peaks and midweek lulls.
Can I get pub funding with a poor credit history?
Often yes, particularly via a merchant cash advance based on your card takings. Expect to compare costs carefully, as bad-credit terms are usually more expensive.
Ready to fund your pub business?
Compare tailored funding offers in about two minutes — soft search only, no impact on your credit score.
Get your free quoteThis page is general information, not financial advice. Eligibility, rates and terms vary by lender and your circumstances. The Loans Hub is a finance broker, not a lender.
