case study

Case Study: Solar Panels for One Sign & Digital

bluestonelease Leave a comment

Based in the North East of England, One Sign & Digital operate from a 10,000 sq ft factory with a large fabrication and graphics facility including state-of-the-art digital printing machines to suit every requirement of sign making. This allows the company to manufacture all jobs in-house, giving them full control over projects from start to finish.

Requirements

One Sign & Digital were looking for a way that they could maintain cashflow within the business whilst making their facilities more sustainable and lower their carbon footprint. With such a large facility, they could see the benefits in installing more renewable technologies such as solar panels to help reduce their energy bills.

“We knew our business would be impacted by the increase in energy over the past few months and began looking for solutions that would both support us financially, but also allow us to implement more sustainable changes for the long-term. With the help of Bluestone and AR Power, we could do both. We are now benefitting from reduced energy bills, a solar powered facility and still have capital within the business to continue on our growth trajectory.”


Chris Timmins, Managing Director at One Sign & Digital

The Solution

Bluestone worked with AR power to support the business by offering a £59,512 finance lease facility that would allow One Sign & Digital to install a number of solar panels to the roof of their facility.

The lease will be repaid through fixed repayments over a period of time and provided the business with the capital they needed to implement more sustainable business decisions whilst retaining cashflow for investment in other areas.

“It was great to work with the team at One Sign & Digital and provide them with a solution that has enabled them to continue with their ongoing business strategy whilst also implementing technologies that will support them financially longer-term. I look forward to seeing them continue to grow.”

Toni McLeod, Bluestone leasing

Interested in finance for your business?

We can help businesses to by obtaining the best funding options and facilities, quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring your short-term goals and long-term ambitions are considered in your financial strategy. 

If you are interested in a loan or asset finance for your business, get in touch with us today. We will assess your business’ individual circumstances and work with you to decide which, if any, finance solution would be the right choice. 

Complete the form below to send us an enquiry.

Case Study: R H Binks & Sons Ltd

bluestonelease Leave a comment

About R H Binks & Sons Ltd

R H Binks & Sons are a quality Wholesale & Retail Family Butchers who have been serving customers in Wakefield since 1920. Whilst they are a traditional style butcher founded on their service and a strong passion for high quality British produce, they are moving with the times to create hand-made products, and innovative ideas to the butchery trade.

Sourcing the majority of meat from established Yorkshire farms, they support regional farmers who share their commitment to welfare and outstanding quality without the use of intensive farming or growth hormones and additives.

Their Need for Finance

R H Binks & Sons Ltd has been successfully running for generations and wanted a new lease of life to align with the creativity and innovation they are bringing to the trade. The shop needed a full re-fit, and they were looking for a way to give the butchers a face-lift without using their existing cash reserves.

“Without the support from Bluestone and our supplier H K Interiors and XL Refrigeration, we wouldn’t have been able to achieve what we have. The interior of our shop is now one we feel proud of and we feel it is another step in supporting our business continuing to grow.”

Jack Binks, R H Binks & Sons Ltd

The Solution

With the support of Bluestone and suppliers, H K Interiors and XL Refrigeration, R H Binks were able to utilise a £120,000 Hire Purchase agreement to finance the fit-out of a new, modern shop internally and externally. The agreement allowed them to benefit from retained capital within the business for further growth and investment whilst making affordable repayments at a fixed cost over time.

Laura Fallah, Regional Account Manager at Bluestone said, “It was great to be able to work on a project local to Bluestone, especially one that supports regional farmers at the same time. The shop looks great and I’m really glad we were able to help R H Binks with their re-fit and support their business.”

Interested in finding out how Bluestone can support your business?

We can help businesses by obtaining the best funding options and facilities, quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring your short-term goals and long-term ambitions are considered in your financial strategy. 

If you are interested in speaking to someone who can talk through how to best support your business, get in touch with us today. We will assess your individual circumstances and work with you to decide which finance solution would be the right choice for you.

Complete the form below to send us an enquiry.

Case Study: The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance

bluestonelease Leave a comment

The Institute of Comtemporary Music Performance (ICMP), based in London, has been developing and delivering education to students of contemporary music for over 30 years, longer than any other UK school. The key to their philosophy, is the understanding that every student is unique.

The ICMP have always focused on the needs and potential of individual students, ensuring that the education they provide is tailored and personalised, giving them the best chance of success.

The ICMP’s Requirements

As a provider of Higher Education emerging from the Pandemic and working within the tight constraint of the regulatory framework, ICMP used finance to ensure that key financial performance metrics were always comfortably managed at appropriate levels.

“Bluestone have been a supportive and communicative company, taking the time to understand our needs. That approach has enabled us to achieve the amazing results that we have!”

Pete Whittard,  Business Development Director, ICMP

The Solution

In 2019, when the project was initiated, ICMP’s growth trajectory clearly indicated the need for additional specialist space to accommodate recording studios and performance.

The solution was a 14,000 square-foot derelict public house in Queens Park that has undertaken a three phase renovation. Phase one delivered three state-of-the-art recording and post-production studios (featuring Dolby Atmos technology). Phase two delivered a 100+ capacity fully specified performance venue refectory with expanded teaching spaces and technology labs. Phase three completed with six further teaching spaces and professional services offices under a new roof and a rebuilt second floor.

Louse Harris from Bluestone said, “It was an absolute pleasure working with Pete and the team at the ICMP. We were delighted to support them with financing their projects, allowing them to continue with their exciting growth plans. We look forward to supporting them in years to come.”

Interested in finding out how Bluestone can support your business?

We can help businesses by obtaining the best funding options and facilities, quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring your short-term goals and long-term ambitions are considered in your financial strategy. 

If you are interested in speaking to someone who can talk through how to best support your business, get in touch with us today. We will assess your individual circumstances and work with you to decide which finance solution would be the right choice for you. 

Complete the form below to send us an enquiry.

Case Study: A VAT Loan for Grafik

bluestonelease Leave a comment

Grafik develop sustainable, functional and commercially viable projects, working with a range of clients in the residential, commercial, leisure, mixed use and public sectors. Formed in 2001, they work strategically across the UK from their offices in Essex.

Their range of architectural services include; conceptual design, feasibility studies, master planning & urban design, full planning services, working drawing package and value engineering as well as having broad knowledge and experience of softwares including AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Photoshop and InDesign.

Grafik’s need for finance

Grafik were looking for a way to pay their VAT over a period of time so they could retain capital within the business to invest in their continued growth. A VAT loan would ensure that HMRC were paid in full and on time whilst preventing them from parting with a large chunk of cash upfront.

“It was great working with Bluestone to fund our VAT bill – they have been helpful and supportive to our requirements. The process has been easy and it’s one less thing for the business to have to worry about.”

Miranda Jules, Admin Director, Grafik

The Solution

After being introduced to finance specialists at Bluestone Leasing, Grafik made the decision to utilise finance in the form of VAT loan over a three month period. The loan will allow them to spread the cost of their repayments over time and retain cashflow in the business for use in other areas.

Kate Walker, Regional Account Manager at Bluestone, said, “It was an absolute pleasure working with Miranda and the team at Grafik. We were delighted to support them with a VAT loan to spread the cost of their repayments and continue with their growth plans.”

Interested in finance for your business?

We can help businesses to by obtaining the best funding options and facilities, quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring your short-term goals and long-term ambitions are considered in your financial strategy. 

If you are interested in a loan or asset finance for your business, get in touch with us today. We will assess your business’ individual circumstances and work with you to decide which, if any, finance solution would be the right choice. 

Complete the form below to send us an enquiry.

Case Study: A New Headquarters for West Barn Co.

bluestonelease Leave a comment

Kim, a make-up artist to celebrity clients with over 10 years of experience, founded West Barn Co. with her mother, Donna, in 2017.  At the time, there was a trend for either tattooed eyebrows or pencil drawn eyebrows and Kim wanted a different look and feel to what was the norm. As such, ‘Soap Brows’ was born.

Using cosmetically formulated soap which is safe to leave on the face, Soap Brows creates fluffy, prominent eyebrows. The product took social media by storm and demand sky rocketed. Today, the company focuses on creating high quality brow and skin prep products including cleansers, serums, prep mists and toners along with makeup tool kits.

West Barn Co.’s Continued Growth

The company signed a building lease for WBCo. headquarters in December 2018, but the business has continued to grow at an incredible pace. West Barn Co. now employ over 25 staff members in their Durham HQ and ships to more than 60 countries. This growth led to a need for a bigger and better headquarters in 2021.

Louise and the team at Bluestone Leasing were really great. They were thorough, efficient and super lovely to work with. The options they presented us with meant we were able to further invest into New Product Development much sooner. When speed to market is imperative, this was a great step in our business. Thanks again Louise.”

Kimberley Cattin, CEO, West Barn Co.

The Solution

After being introduced to commercial finance specialists for the interiors sector, Bluestone Leasing, by their team of fitout specialists, West Barn Co. decided to finance their fitout over 5 years to run in tandem with their 10-year building lease which has a 5-year break clause.

Louise Harris, Key Account Manager at Bluestone said, “It was an absolute pleasure working with Kim and the team at West Barn Co. We were delighted to support them with their large-scale fit-out project, allowing them to continue with their exciting growth plans and we look forward to supporting WBC in years to come.”

Interested in finance for your business?

We can help businesses to by obtaining the best funding options and facilities, quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring your short-term goals and long-term ambitions are considered in your financial strategy. 

If you are interested in a loan or asset finance for your business, get in touch with us today. We will assess your business’ individual circumstances and work with you to decide which, if any, finance solution would be the right choice. 

Complete the form below to send us an enquiry.

Case Study – RAF Halton Refurbish

bluestonelease Leave a comment

RAF Halton have provided invaluable training to new recruits since 1918 and Bluestone Leasing were delighted to get involved in the project to refurbish their IT and classroom facilities.

This project was another fantastic example of how we can include software charges into the overall finance package keeping all costs combined into one regular payment.

Casestudy RAF Halton refurbish