Fit‑Out Finance for UK Businesses: Shop, Office & Hospitality Funding

Summary: Need funding to fit out a shop, office, restaurant or hospitality venue? Fast Business Loans helps UK limited companies and LLPs connect quickly with specialist lenders and brokers for fit‑out finance of £10,000 and above. We’re an introducer (not a lender or adviser): submit a short enquiry and we’ll match you with partners who can provide tailored quotes. Get your Free Eligibility Check today to see the options that suit your project.

Get Started — Free Eligibility Check

What is fit‑out finance?

A fit‑out is the work required to make a commercial space ready for trading. That can include Cat A (basic floors, ceilings, services) and Cat B (internal partitions, lighting, bespoke joinery, kitchens, bar areas) fit‑outs for shops, offices, restaurants, cafés, pubs and leisure venues. Fit‑out finance refers to funding options designed to cover the cost of that work and related project expenses.

Funding can be structured in different ways: business loans (secured or unsecured), asset finance for equipment, hire‑purchase, invoice or merchant finance to help cashflow during build, and revolving facilities to cover staged payments. Lenders will assess turnover, trading performance, project quotes and, where relevant, security or personal guarantees.

Why businesses trust Fast Business Loans for fit‑out funding

Fast Business Loans connects you to a wide panel of UK finance brokers and lenders who specialise in commercial refurbishment and fit‑out projects. We don’t lend. Instead, we do the searching, shortlisting and matching so you get contacted by partners who actually understand your sector and project.

• Speed — quick, simple enquiry and fast matching
• Sector expertise — partners experienced in retail, hospitality and office fit‑outs
• Choice — multiple lenders and brokers reviewed for fit‑out work
• Confidential & secure handling of your details
• No obligation — free service for businesses
• Support for loan sizes from £10,000 upwards

Get Matched — Free Eligibility Check

How our fit‑out finance enquiry process works

Here’s how you go from idea to matched lenders in four straightforward steps.

1. Submit a short enquiry: Complete our quick online form (under two minutes). You tell us the business basics, the fit‑out type and the amount required.
2. We match you: We select lenders and brokers from our panel who are most likely to consider your project and pass your details to them.
3. Rapid contact: A broker or lender will usually call or email to discuss next steps, obtain documents and outline likely options.
4. Compare & decide: Review proposals and choose the option that best fits your timeline and budget. All negotiations and contracts are directly between you and the chosen provider.

Important: the enquiry is not a loan application. It’s information to help match your business with the most suitable finance partners.

Complete the 2‑minute enquiry form

Fit‑out costs we can help you cover

Fit‑out projects include many different cost lines. Lenders may fund all or part of these, depending on the product.

Retail & shop fit‑outs

• Fixtures & fittings, display units and POS systems
• Signage, lighting and flooring
• Shopfront installation and accessibility work

Hospitality (restaurants, bars, cafés)

• Commercial kitchen equipment and extraction systems
• Bar counters, seating, flooring and bathrooms
• Licensing-related works and thermal upgrades

Offices & coworking spaces

• Partitioning, IT cabling, AV and meeting-room installs
• Desks, ergonomic furniture and communal spaces
• Cat A/B fit‑outs and tenant improvements

We can also help businesses fund related costs such as design fees, project management, temporary relocation and contingency budgets. Tip: lenders like to see realistic budgets and contingency planning (typically 10–15%).

Fit‑out finance options available through our panel

Many projects use blended finance: a secured facility for big-ticket items plus asset finance for equipment. If you’re unsure which route suits you, our partners can advise once matched.

See your fit‑out funding options — Free Check

Eligibility snapshot & what lenders look for

Lenders assess each case on its merits. Typical criteria include:

• Company structure (limited companies and LLPs commonly accepted)
• Trading history and turnover — many lenders prefer 12+ months trading, but some specialist partners consider newer businesses with strong plans
• Profitability, management accounts and cashflow forecasts
• Quality of contractor quotes, project timelines and landlord consent where required
• Security offered (assets or property) and director support if needed

Common documents requested: recent management accounts, bank statements, contractor quotations, business plan extract and lease or property details. Don’t worry if you’ve had previous refusals — our panel includes specialist lenders who look beyond one declined application.

Sector‑specific fit‑out support

Different sectors have different lending considerations. Our panel includes brokers who specialise in:

• Retail — pop‑up stores, shop conversions, new concessions
• Hospitality — kitchens, extraction, bar installations and licensing works
• Offices — collaborative fit‑outs, flexible workspace upgrades
• Healthcare & wellness — compliance upgrades and specialist equipment
• Leisure & gyms — heavy equipment and safety installations

Talk to a sector specialist — Free Eligibility Check

Example fit‑out funding scenarios

Below are illustrative examples to show how businesses use fit‑out finance. These are simplified and outcomes vary.

• Café kitchen refit (£85,000): Owner funded extraction and new ovens using a mix of asset finance for equipment and an unsecured loan for décor and seating. Outcome: faster service, extended opening hours and increased covers.
• Digital agency office upgrade (£120,000): New floor layout, AV and desks funded via a secured borrower facility combined with hire‑purchase for IT hardware. Outcome: improved staff retention and higher client booking capacity.
• Boutique retailer new store (£200,000): Revolving credit to manage staged fit‑out payments and merchant cash advance to cover initial stock. Outcome: smooth cashflow during ramp-up and improved opening experience.

See also our detailed resource on fit‑out finance for further guidance and industry insights.

FAQs about fit‑out finance

Do I need a long trading history?

Not always. Many lenders prefer 12+ months, but specialist brokers sometimes consider well‑prepared start‑ups or companies with strong director experience and credible projections.

How quickly can funding arrive?

Small business loans or asset finance can be completed in days to weeks; larger secured facilities take longer. Your matched broker will provide timings after initial review.

Will my credit score be affected by enquiring?

Submitting our enquiry does not affect your credit score. Lenders may perform credit checks later in the application process when you proceed with a specific provider.

Are green/sustainable fit‑outs supported?

Yes — many lenders and brokers on our panel favour energy‑efficient upgrades and may offer favourable terms or guidance on incentives.

Do you charge businesses to use this service?

No — our matching service is free for businesses. Any fees from lenders or brokers will be disclosed by them before you commit.

Submit your fit‑out enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Checklist: strengthen your fit‑out finance application

1. Prepare recent management accounts and 3–6 months bank statements.
2. Gather contractor quotes and a clear project schedule.
3. Obtain landlord’s written permission for works if leased premises.
4. Include a brief ROI summary (how the fit‑out will improve revenue or efficiency).
5. Confirm any required licences or compliance works are included.
6. Plan a 10–15% contingency within the budget.

Why act now on your fit‑out project?

Fit‑out costs and lead times can increase quickly. Acting early secures contractors and materials at current prices, reduces disruption and helps you capture market demand sooner. A quick eligibility check lets you compare options without obligation and plan with confidence.

Get Quote Now — Free Fit‑Out Finance Check

Our commitment to clear, fair, non‑misleading information

We act as an introducer connecting businesses with lenders and brokers. We provide factual, transparent information about finance options to help you make informed decisions. We do not guarantee approvals — final lending decisions rest with the finance provider. Your data is shared only with selected partners relevant to your enquiry.

Ready to start? Let’s build your fit‑out funding plan

Completing our short enquiry is the fastest way to find the right lenders and brokers for your project. It takes under two minutes, it won’t affect your credit score, and there’s no obligation to proceed once matched.

Start Your Enquiry — Free Eligibility Check

Fast Business Loans connects UK businesses with trusted lenders and brokers for fit‑out finance. We do not provide loans or give financial advice — we introduce businesses to suitable finance partners who can provide quotes and complete lending decisions. For more about fit‑out funding and practical tips, see our guide to fit‑out finance.

– What is fit-out finance and how does it work?
Fit-out finance is funding for Cat A/B refurbishments of shops, offices and hospitality venues, available via unsecured/secured business loans, asset finance, hire purchase, invoice or merchant advances, and revolving credit.

– Who is eligible for fit-out finance through Fast Business Loans?
UK limited companies and LLPs are eligible, with many lenders preferring 12+ months’ trading, though strong start-ups may also be considered.

– How much can I borrow and over what terms?
Funding typically starts from £10,000, with unsecured loans up to around £250,000 for 1–5 years and larger secured facilities from £50,000 to £5m+ on flexible terms.

– How quickly can funding be released?
Smaller loans and asset finance can complete in days to weeks, while larger secured deals take longer depending on valuations and legal checks.

– Will submitting the enquiry affect my credit score?
No—the enquiry is not a loan application and won’t impact your score, though chosen lenders may run credit checks if you proceed.

– What fit-out costs can be financed?
Eligible costs include fixtures, fittings, signage, lighting, flooring, shopfronts, commercial kitchens and extraction, bar areas, seating, bathrooms, partitioning, IT/AV, furniture, design fees, project management and contingency.

– Do I need security or a personal guarantee?
It depends on the product—secured loans may use property or assets, while unsecured loans often require a director’s personal guarantee based on trading performance.

– What interest rates are available for fit-out finance?
Rates vary by product, risk profile and term, and your matched broker or lender will provide tailored quotes after reviewing your business and project.

– Can you help if I’ve been declined elsewhere or have limited trading history?
Yes—our panel includes specialist lenders who consider previous refusals and newer businesses with credible plans and projections.

– Does Fast Business Loans charge any fees or require me to proceed?
No—the eligibility check and matching service are free and there’s no obligation, with any lender or broker fees disclosed before you commit.