West of Scotland Loan Fund (WSLF)

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This fund provides support for small and medium-sized businesses:

Loans may be used for:

• working capital
• buying plant and equipment or
• buying business property.

Loans may not be used for:

• speculative property development or
• private vehicles.

The fund usually operates together with other commercial lending agencies and applicants must demonstrate that at least 50% of the total funding package is being provided by the private sector.

Level of support

• Up to £50,000 for businesses trading for more than two years and up to £30,000 for new businesses trading for two years or less.
• The maximum repayment period is seven years, though the typical term is three to five years.
• ‘Capital holidays' of up to six months may be considered.
• Loans under £20,000 will usually require no legal security but we reserve the right to take security on loans below £20,000 where it is appropriate to protect the investment.
• Security is usually taken in the form of a floating charge over the assets of the business or standard security.

Eligibility

• The business must have a permanent base in the Renfrewshire Council area and employ 250 employees or fewer, including employees of any parent company.
• The business must operate as a sole-trader, partnership, limited liability partnership, social enterprise or limited company.
• The following sectors do not qualify:
  - retail
  - motor vehicles
  - real estate or property development
  - professional services
  - social and personal services
  - software development
  - pubs, clubs and restaurants, or
  - local services

Terms and conditions

The full terms and conditions of loan are decided when the application is processed and are set out in the loan offer.

How to apply

Visit the WSLF website to download an application form.

Find out more

For more information, please visit the WSLF website or contact the Economic Development team:
Phone: 0141 840 4040
Email: econdev@renfrewshire.gov.uk


WSLF is operated by 12 local authorities across the West of Scotland. The West of Scotland Loan Fund is part financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.