BCRS Business Loans: Supporting Small Businesses When Banks Say No

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BCRS Business Loans has reported a significant surge in support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Wales and the West Midlands, providing nearly £10 million in debt funding during its most recent financial year.

The Midlands-based community lending specialist, which focuses on businesses unable to secure finance from mainstream banks, delivered £9.9 million to 124 companies in 2024-25—a 68% increase in the number of SMEs supported compared to the previous year.

The organisation highlighted that this year’s 50 additional loan deals underscore the growing demand for responsible lending among SMEs struggling to access traditional finance. BCRS noted that its lending activities not only safeguarded 889 jobs but also helped create 317 new positions, injecting £51.2 million into the economies of Wales, the West Midlands, and neighbouring regions.

In Wales, BCRS manages the small debt element of the British Business Bank’s £130 million Wales Investment Fund. Over the past year, it lent £1.3 million to 21 Welsh firms, supporting the creation of 65 new jobs and safeguarding 100 more, with an economic impact calculated at £7.88 million.

One recipient, Wrexham-based Wynnstay Self Storage, used a £40,000 BCRS loan to transform two acres of land into a thriving self-storage facility. Owner Matt Pritchard commented, “I contacted BCRS to see if they could provide the finance to allow me to put in the infrastructure to house the containers, whilst also purchasing the storage units themselves.

After securing the finance I purchased ten additional units and am pleased to say that we have been operating at full capacity since. The site is full and we have further space to develop so this is part of the next growth stage for the business. To see the land more efficiently utilised is pleasing and I’m thrilled to see how this finance has quite literally opened doors to customers.”

Reflecting on the year’s achievements, BCRS Business Loans chief executive Stephen Deakin said, “We are thrilled with last year’s performance, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting businesses when they need it the most.

We have been able to substantially increase our lending activity which has resulted in jobs protected, new roles created, and millions added to the regional economy.”

BCRS continues to expand its reach, recently increasing its maximum lending limit from £150,000 to £250,000 to further support SMEs in the West Midlands and Wales.