Bathgate hits £5 million in capital lending from its own book

Bathgate Business Finance has hit a landmark £5 million in capital lending from its own funding book, The Bathgate Capital Fund, the highest in the company’s 34-year history.

The milestone highlights considerable growth from September 2022, when its book reduced to £1.5 million as businesses turned to governmentbacked finance solutions in the wake of the pandemic.

During this period, the West Kirby-based finance specialist has also seen three months where its own-book lending has hit £1 million, in October 2022, June 2024 and again in March 2025.

Own-book lending is finance that is written from Bathgate’s own capital base, allowing it to make its own decisions without the need for lengthy processes and credit committees.

While most own-book funders focus on specialist areas, Bathgate offers a wide range of finance solutions from their capital base, which is not common in the marketplace.

The recipients were:

• Active4Blood

• Andy Swan Driver Services Ltd

• Bulldogs Boxing & Community Activities

• Cobra Life Martial Arts Ltd

• Events Medical Team - Saltney Ltd

• Henry Williams and Son (Roads) Ltd

• Platts Group

• Riverside Retreat Veterans Camp CIC

• Shadow Response Security & Medical Ltd

• The Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum Trust

• Business in Focus Ltd

• IG Doors Ltd

• MPH Construction

• Powys Teaching Health Board

• R&M Williams Ltd

• V3 Group (UK) Ltd

• Bridgend College

Gordon Andrews, MD at Bathgate Business Finance, said: “Growth of The Bathgate Capital Fund was an objective for the business after covid. We have our own capital base, and we want to lend our money into local communities and to SMEs, who may often be overlooked.

“Having our own book funding means we have the choice and ability to lend to a much wider range of businesses. We can move quicker to make decisions, and ensure that the money gets to the client faster too.

“We have expertise in working in local communities and with SMEs, as well as regional understanding that informs our decision making. This means that we can offer finance solutions that might be too niche, small or complex for other funders.”

For more information visit bathgatebf.co.uk

Imagine swapping the long, dreary winter here in the UK for a dream summer somewhere far, far away.

Winter is the perfect opportunity to have a bucket-list escape, and going longhaul lets you truly leave the British winter behind.

And while a beach is always a great idea, we know that for a long-haul trip, you may be looking for a bit more than sun, sea, and sand.

Here are some incredible destinations but there is so much more!

Let the adventure begin:

Cape Town and the Eastern Cape, South Africa - Flight time: 11 hours 35 mins

South Africa’s Mother City is an urban metropolis beside the sea.

Sitting in the shadow of its iconic Table Mountain, the city also exudes history. Out in the Bay is Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years in prison. Tour vineyards and then set off along the country’s famous Garden Route. And of course, you can’t do South Africa without doing a safari.

Kerala, India - Flight time: 9 hours

The southern Indian state of Kerala is known as ‘God’s Own Country’ and is as green it gets. You’ll fly into Kochi (also known as Cochin) where you’ll find lively bazaars and upscale restaurants. And then, back to the coast, to complete your tour, the beaches beckon.

Adelaide to Sydney, AustraliaFlight time: around 22 hours, including connection

Visit the vibrant city of Adelaide. Then it’s on to tick off one of the most iconic drives in the world - The Great Ocean Road. This famous road snakes along the coast from the quaint town of Port Fairy to the surf-capital of Torquay., finishing up in the Victoria state capital of Melbourne. It’s now time to ditch the car and take an internal flight In around two hours you’ll land in Sydney.

Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Flight time: 10 hours +

Yucatan Peninsula and Riviera Maya is awash with spellbinding attractions that really shouldn’t be missed.

For starters there’s Chichén Itzá. This Mayan city dating back, some say, to 400AD. Mayan archeological sites include Uxmal and Tulum.

To complete your Yucatan tour, the beaches just have to be bathed upon.

Vietnam - Flight time: 12 hours

The winter is one of the best times to tour Vietnam. Start off in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). It’s a typical Asian city, bustling, chaotic and teeming with bikes and tuk tuks. Visit stunning Hua ann with amazing beaches and end your journey in Hanoi. Getting around Vietnam is a mix of train, bus, plane, bike and buffalo! There are many more destinations to consider this winter! Get in touch with Kim, your personal Travel Consultant to find out more about Winter destinations.

Kim, Your Personal Travel Consultant

With over 5 years of experience in the travel industry, I turned my passion for exploring new destinations, discovering hidden gems, and curating unforgettable travel experiences into a business I truly love.

I started my travel consultancy because I believe that planning a holiday should be exciting not overwhelming. Instead of spending hours scrolling through endless websites and reviews I offer a personalised service that takes the stress out of travel planning.

Whether you are dreaming of a luxury beach getaway, a cultural city escape, a Cruise, or an adventurous journey off the beaten path, I am here to help you find the ideal holiday that matches your needs, interests and budget.

I take pride in getting to know my clients and creating tailor-made itineraries that go beyond the ordinary. With insider knowledge, trusted connections, and a dedication to excellent service, I aim to make your travel experience smooth, enjoyable, and truly memorable — from the moment you start planning to the moment you return home.

Let’s make your next holiday the best one yet! Kim