Top 10 Off Licence Business Loans UK 2026 – Best Unsecured & MCA Lenders for Convenience Stores
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Top 10 Off Licence Business Loan Lenders Compared
| Rank | Lender | Best for | Published loan range | Loan rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CubeFunder | Newer off licence businesses with modest turnover | £5,000 to £100,000 | interest 2.5% to 4% monthly |
| 2 | Swishfund | Established off licences with stronger turnover seeking larger loans | £10,000 to £450,000 | interest 1.1% to 3% monthly |
| 3 | Capify (includes Rapital) | Growing convenience stores needing working capital | £10,000 to £1,000,000 | factor 1.1% to 1.35% monthly |
| 4 | Iwoca | Off licences of any size, including newly opened shops | £0 to £1,000,000 | interest 1.6% to 5.6% monthly |
| 5 | WayFlyer | More established operators with strong annual revenue | £10,000 to £2,000,000 | interest 18% to 22% annually |
| 6 | Bizcap | Off licences with high turnover needing flexible repayment | £5,000 to £750,000 | factor 1.1% to 1.4% monthly |
| 7 | Funding Circle | Established off licences seeking longer-term fixed-rate funding | £10,000 to £750,000 | interest 18% to 24% annually |
| 8 | Tide Bank | Off licence startups and smaller shops wanting bank lending | £500 to £20,000,000 | interest 5% to 11.5% annually |
| 9 | Barclays | Included for comparison; suits off licences with strong credit | £1,000 to £25,000,000 | interest 8.5% to 14.9% annually |
| 10 | Befund | Smaller off licence projects and start-up convenience stores | £500 to £250,000 | interest 8.5% to 15.5% annually |
An unsecured business loan provides a lump sum of capital without requiring property or assets as security, repaid in fixed instalments over an agreed term. For off licence and convenience store owners, this means accessing funding for stock purchases, shop refurbishment, or working capital without putting your premises at risk. A £25,000 facility can help buy bulk alcohol inventory ahead of peak trading seasons or upgrade shelving and refrigeration to improve footfall.
Comparing lenders goes beyond headline interest rates. For off licence businesses, you should weigh the total cost of borrowing, including any arrangement fees, alongside repayment term flexibility that suits seasonal trading patterns. Eligibility criteria matter too: some lenders ask for at least 12 months of trading, while others accept businesses with as little as three months of history. Speed of funding can be critical when you need to restock quickly or act on a supplier discount.
Important note:
Funding Agent
Published loan rangeFrom £10,000 to up to £1,000,000
Rate typeInterest from 6.8% annually
Why it is included:It is included because many business owners need to compare several finance routes before choosing where to apply.
Funding Agent can help businesses compare suitable options across a lender panel, especially when eligibility depends on turnover, sector, trading history, credit strength and available documents.
Best use case: When the borrower wants to avoid applying to one lender at a time.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Why it stands out
- Useful when a business wants to compare lender fit rather than guess which lender to apply to first.
- Can help position the application around the funding purpose, trading profile and available documents.
- Works well as a conversion route for readers who are unsure whether a direct lender will approve a larger unsecured facility.
Need to know
- Funding Agent is a broker, not a lender.
- The lender, not Funding Agent, sets the final rate, term, fees and approval decision.
- The best match may be unsecured, secured, revolving credit, invoice finance or another product depending on the case.
Expert take
Funding Agent is a useful honourable mention for business owners who want to compare lender options before submitting a full application. A larger unsecured loan is not always approved by the first lender a business finds, so understanding lender fit early can reduce wasted time and avoid unnecessary declines.
CubeFunder
Published loan range£5,000 to £100,000
Rate typeinterest 2.5% to 4% monthly
Overview: When an off licence needs to restock ahead of a bank holiday weekend, speed matters. CubeFunder can approve a term loan within 24 hours, with facilities ranging from £5,000 to £100,000. Monthly interest sits between 2.5% and 4%, and the lender works with established convenience stores that have assets to secure the borrowing.
Best next step: Compare CubeFunder rates for your off licence.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Funds stock purchases within 24 hours
- Loans from £5,000 to £100,000
- Straightforward monthly repayment structure
Need to know
- Secured lending requires business assets
- Monthly interest from 2.5% to 4%
- Suits established businesses with trading history
Expert take
CubeFunder is a secured term lender that favours businesses with tangible assets. Off licence owners who own their shop premises will find the rates competitive and the underwriting straightforward. The asset-backed model keeps monthly costs predictable.
Source:https://www.cubefunder.com/
Swishfund
Published loan range£10,000 to £450,000
Rate typeinterest 1.1% to 3% monthly
Overview: For a larger off licence project like a full shop refit, Swishfund offers term loans up to £450,000. Monthly interest runs from 1.1% to 3%, keeping repayments manageable for convenience stores with steady turnover. Funding can arrive within 24 hours. The lender requires security, so you will need business assets or property to qualify.
Best next step: Check Swishfund loan terms for your shop.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Term loans reach £450,000 for major refits
- Monthly rates start from 1.1% interest
- Funding decision within 24 hours
Need to know
- Secured lending requires property or assets
- Minimum loan size is £10,000
- Suits shops with strong affordability evidence
Expert take
Swishfund is a high-cap secured lender for growing off licence businesses. Shop owners with assets to pledge will find the low monthly rates and fast turnaround well suited to refit or second-site projects.
Source:https://www.swishfund.co.uk/
Capify (includes Rapital)
Published loan range£10,000 to £1,000,000
Rate typefactor 1.1% to 1.35% monthly
Overview: Capify prices its term loans using a simple monthly factor rate, starting from 1.1% to 1.35%. For an off licence managing seasonal cash flow, this transparent structure makes it easier to forecast repayments on facilities from £10,000 to £1,000,000. Decisions come within 24 hours. Security is required, so business assets need to back the loan.
Best next step: Explore Capify factor rates for your off licence.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Transparent factor-rate pricing from 1.1%
- Facilities available up to £1,000,000
- Funding decision within 24 hours
Need to know
- Secured facility requires business assets
- Factor rates apply monthly, not annually
- Minimum borrowing starts at £10,000
Expert take
Capify is a factor-rate lender that suits off licence owners who want predictable monthly costs. The transparent pricing structure helps convenience stores budget around seasonal alcohol sales cycles with confidence.
Source:https://capify.co.uk/
Iwoca
Published loan range£0 to £1,000,000
Rate typeinterest 1.6% to 5.6% monthly
Overview: Iwoca is one of the most accessible lenders for off licence businesses still building their trading record. Facilities start from as little as £1, with a ceiling of £1,000,000, and monthly interest runs between 1.6% and 5.6%. Decisions typically land within 24 hours. The lending is secured, so you will need assets to pledge.
Best next step: See Iwoca eligibility for your convenience store.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Accepts businesses with shorter trading history
- Loan sizes from £1 to £1,000,000
- Decision within 24 hours of application
Need to know
- Secured lending needs business assets
- Monthly interest ranges from 1.6% to 5.6%
- Higher rates for shorter trading records
Expert take
Iwoca is a broad-access lender that works with off licence businesses at various stages. Newer convenience stores that might struggle with high-street banks often find a route here, with pricing that adjusts to reflect your circumstances.
Source:https://www.iwoca.co.uk/
WayFlyer
Published loan range£10,000 to £2,000,000
Rate typeinterest 18% to 22% annually
Overview: Rather than charging monthly interest, WayFlyer prices its off licence term loans at 18% to 22% annually, aligning cost with annual trading cycles. Facilities from £10,000 to £2,000,000 fund within 24 hours. Security against business assets is required.
Best next step: Review WayFlyer terms for your off licence.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Revenue-aligned repayment structure
- Facilities available up to £2,000,000
- Funding within 24 hours of approval
Need to know
- Annual interest charged at 18% to 22%
- Secured facility needs business assets
- Minimum facility size is £10,000
Expert take
WayFlyer is a revenue-linked lender built for businesses with predictable card takings. Off licence owners with steady till receipts will find the repayment model intuitive. The annual rate structure makes cost comparison easier against bank loans.
Source:https://www.wayflyer.com/
Bizcap
Published loan range£5,000 to £750,000
Rate typefactor 1.1% to 1.4% monthly
Overview: Bizcap funds faster than almost any lender in the market, turning around decisions in as little as 3 hours. For an off licence facing a sudden stock shortage or a time-sensitive supplier deal, that speed is the difference between losing and landing the sale. Facilities range from £5,000 to £750,000 with monthly factor rates of 1.1% to 1.4%. The facility is secured.
Best next step: Get Bizcap funding for your off licence stock.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Funding decisions in as little as 3 hours
- Revolving credit for repeat stock purchases
- Facilities available up to £750,000
Need to know
- Monthly factor rate from 1.1% to 1.4%
- Secured facility backed by business assets
- Limits can be reviewed or adjusted
Expert take
Bizcap is a speed-first lender for off licence owners who cannot wait days. The revolving credit structure suits convenience stores that buy stock in frequent bursts. Asset backing keeps rates competitive at this speed.
Source:https://www.bizcap.co.uk/
Funding Circle
Published loan range£10,000 to £750,000
Rate typeinterest 18% to 24% annually
Overview: Off licence owners who prefer an established lending platform over raw speed often turn to Funding Circle. Term loans from £10,000 to £750,000 carry annual interest between 18% and 24%, with funding typically arriving within 48 hours. The facility is secured against business assets.
Best next step: Check Funding Circle rates for your shop.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Established peer-to-peer lending platform
- Annual interest rates for clear cost comparison
- Facilities available up to £750,000
Need to know
- Funding typically takes 48 hours
- Annual interest charged at 18% to 24%
- Secured facility requires business assets
Expert take
Funding Circle is a peer-to-peer lender with a long UK track record. Off licence owners who value a proven process over maximum speed will find the platform straightforward. Annual rates make cost planning simple.
Tide Bank
Published loan range£500 to £20,000,000
Rate typeinterest 5% to 11.5% annually
Overview: For off licence owners who have been declined elsewhere, Tide Bank offers a digital-first route to business lending. Term loans from £500 to £20,000,000 carry annual rates between 5% and 11.5%, with funding decisions within 24 hours. Security or a personal guarantee may apply.
Best next step: Explore Tide Bank loans for your off licence.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Annual rates from 5% for strong applicants
- Start-up and younger businesses considered
- Loans available from £500 to £20,000,000
Need to know
- Bank underwriting can be stricter than alternatives
- Security or personal guarantee may apply
- Annual rates reach 11.5% for higher risk
Expert take
Tide Bank is a digital-first bank serving newer off licence businesses. The annual pricing model and start-up friendly criteria suit shop owners who have been turned down by traditional high-street banks.
Barclays
Published loan range£1,000 to £25,000,000
Rate typeinterest 8.5% to 14.9% annually
Overview: Barclays brings high-street credibility to off licence borrowing, with term loans from £1,000 to £25,000,000 at annual rates between 8.5% and 14.9%. The bank can decide within 24 hours for straightforward cases. Underwriting is stricter than alternative lenders, and security or a personal guarantee is likely needed.
Best next step: Check Barclays business loan eligibility.
More info
Company stats
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- High-street bank with specialist lending options
- Annual rates from 8.5% for qualifying businesses
- Green loan options for energy-efficient refits
Need to know
- Stricter bank underwriting than alternative lenders
- Personal guarantee or security likely required
- Annual rates reach 14.9% for higher risk
Expert take
Barclays is a high-street bank with dedicated business lending teams. Off licence owners with clean accounts and several years trading may find annual rates competitive. Green refit projects can qualify for preferential pricing.
Befund
Published loan range£500 to £250,000
Rate typeinterest 8.5% to 15.5% annually
Overview: Newer off licence businesses that cannot yet meet mainstream lending criteria may find a route through Befund. Term loans from £500 to £250,000 carry annual rates between 8.5% and 15.5%, though funding takes about a week. The lender weighs each application individually, so security requirements vary.
Best next step: Apply for Befund start-up business finance.
More info
Company stats
Eligibility
Loan range
Rates and debtor rules
Benefits
- Considers newer businesses with limited history
- Loans from £500 suit smaller stock needs
- Annual rates start from 8.5%
Need to know
- Funding takes around one week
- Annual rates up to 15.5% for higher risk
- Security requirements depend on application
Expert take
Befund is a start-up friendly lender that fills the gap when high-street banks decline. Off licence owners in early trading will find eligibility criteria more forgiving, and the annual rates stay competitive for the risk profile.
Source:https://www.befund.org/
Business Loan Calculator
Managing stock purchasing and cash flow in your off licence
Stock is your biggest outgoing. Buying in bulk from wholesalers can lift your margins but it ties up cash fast. Many off licence owners use business loans to bridge the gap between paying suppliers and selling through inventory.
Seasonal peaks drive demand. Summer barbecues, Christmas, and major sporting events can double your weekly takings. A working capital loan lets you stock up ahead of these busy spells without draining your till.
Short-term finance also helps you act on supplier discounts. Buying wine, spirits, and popular grocery lines in larger volumes can improve your margin by 5% to 15%. The right loan makes bulk purchasing possible without squeezing your everyday cash flow.
How unsecured business loans work for off licence shops
An unsecured business loan gives you a lump sum without pledging your shop or personal property. You repay in fixed instalments over an agreed term. This suits off licence owners who rent their premises or prefer not to risk assets.
Lenders on this list assess your trading history and turnover rather than physical security. CubeFunder requires just 3 months of trading and £4,000 monthly turnover. Iwoca accepts businesses trading for as little as 1 month with £5,000 in monthly revenue. Others, like Swishfund and Funding Circle, look for at least 12 months of trading history.
Most providers ask for a personal guarantee. This is standard across the market and means you commit to repaying if the business cannot.
Comparing finance costs and rate structures for off licence lending
Not all off licence loans charge interest the same way. Some lenders use monthly interest rates. Others quote factor rates or annual percentages. Knowing the difference helps you compare costs fairly.
| Rate Type | Example Lenders | Published Range |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly interest | CubeFunder, Iwoca, Swishfund | 1.1% to 5.6% per month |
| Monthly factor | Capify, Bizcap | 1.1% to 1.4% per month |
| Annual interest | Funding Circle, Tide Bank | 5% to 24% per year |
Factor rates apply to the full loan amount upfront, so the cost is fixed even if you repay early. Interest rates only charge on the outstanding balance. For off licence owners with seasonal income, interest-based loans often give more flexibility if you want to settle early after a strong trading run.
What to prepare before applying for an off licence business loan
Getting your paperwork in order speeds up any application. Most lenders ask for three to six months of bank statements. If your shop uses a card machine, those transaction records help too.
Track your turnover carefully. Lenders set minimum thresholds. Bizcap wants to see £144,000 in turnover. Swishfund and Capify both ask for £50,000. Knowing your monthly average helps you target the right providers from the start.
Have your premises licence details ready. Lenders may want to confirm your licence and any conditions attached. This is a sector-specific check off licence owners should expect. Be clear on how much you need and why. Whether it is a shop refurbishment, new fridges, or a seasonal stock top-up, a clear purpose strengthens your application.
