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INTRODUCING OUR BRAND-NEW VIDEO!

by News

We’re delighted to release our brand-new video, featuring six small businesses from across Leicestershire & Rutland who were successful in receiving interest-free business loans from the Charity.

Narrated by Lee Wheeler-Tomes of Orange Fox Studios, who is an education and business loan borrower from STWLC himself, the video illustrates how we are a local charity for local entrepreneurs, run by people from the county. The video shows the entrepreneurs who are on our doorstep, with the aim of inspiring others to realise they have a way to make their dreams come true.

The featured entrepreneurs and businesses are:

– Sara Aspinal – STAK Knee Stretcher in Bagworth
– Oliver Forty – Jollie Campers in Husbands Bosworth
– Dhilon Devji – Dhil’s Vegan Street Food in Wigston
– Steven McKerrow – Mouseskins in Loughborough
– Caroline Stafford – The Kitsch Hen in Oakham
– Liga Orlovska – Honeycraft in Leicester

Lucy Womack, STWLC Chair, said: “This is something we’ve been working on for some time, so we’re absolutely delighted to see the video come together and be shared far and wide.

“We’re always telling people about what we offer, but this video was all about showing the real-life difference that our interest-free loans make for businesses in our region, straight from the mouths of the entrepreneurs themselves.

“Off the back of a fantastic 2023, where we approved a massive £600,000 in interest-free loans, we’re looking forward to supporting more entrepreneurs like Sara, Oliver, Dhilon, Steven, Caroline and Liga in 2024.”

Speaking within the video, Liga Orlovska of Honeycraft, who runs Meet the Bees experiences at Bradgate Park, said: “Without The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, most likely there wouldn’t be Meet the Bees at Bradgate Park. When I looked into other business loans, as a single parent with two children, I was either ineligible to apply or it was too high risk. So, the (STWLC) loan was crucial in me opening the business.”

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website.

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CHARITY SETS NEW 10-YEAR RECORD BY APPROVING OVER £200,000 IN INTEREST-FREE LOANS

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity [STWLC] has announced that 13 interest-free loans totalling £206,000 were awarded to people within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the third quarter of 2023 – a new 10-year record allocation amount for the Charity.

Totalling £206,000, the latest sum in interest-free loans is to be utilised to either fund business start-up or development, or postgraduate education.

Ten businesses, including a travel agency, joinery and shop fitting company and a food outlet, are to receive a share of £179,500 in interest-free loans to launch or grow their business.

Meanwhile, three interest-free education loans totalling £26,500 have been approved to support tuition and living costs for postgraduate education, with chosen courses including a Physician Associate Studies MSc and Conservation Studies.

Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.

Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “Back in June, we announced that a new 10-year record allocation amount had been set when we approved £182,500 in interest-free business and education loans in the second quarter of 2023. Incredibly, the amount we’ve approved this quarter is even higher, totalling more than £200,000!

“This shows that more and more people are finding out about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity and the interest-free loans we offer, while also demonstrating the ever-increasing appetite among Leicestershire entrepreneurs and students to grow professionally and academically.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that our support has reached new heights this year. I would encourage anyone interested in launching or growing a business, or returning to university for postgraduate education, to get in touch. We’re here to help!”

For more information on our interest-free business loans, please click here, or click here to learn more on our interest-free education loans.

Leic Business Festival 2022

Get Set For Leicester Business Festival

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is proud to be an official supporter of Leicester Business Festival 2022 and is excited to be attending several events, including the launch on 7 November, ‘Creating the Perfect Pitch‘ on 11 November and the ‘Innovation Masterclass‘ on 17 November – plus many more!

This year, Leicester Business Festival runs from 7-18 November, and people are being encouraged to book their places as soon as possible. In all, there will be 82 free-to-attend events taking place.

During the festival we look forward to raising awareness of the Charity and meeting with local business owners to showcase what we offer. We would also love it if our borrowers were able to join us and help spread the word about the Charity’s interest-free loans!

There are many great events lined up, all FREE to attend, and it would be great to see some familiar faces throughout the festival.

To view details for all events and register your place, CLICK HERE

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Esme’s Dog Grooming Business Blooming

by Business Success Stories

When it comes to business, sometimes the timing is just right – even in the most unusual of circumstances.

That certainly proved to be the case of Esme Nicholson, who in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic utilised the time available as a result of lockdowns and restrictions to focus on becoming her own boss.

The 24-year-old, born and bred in Leicester, runs Lulu Dog Services, a dog grooming studio based in Clarendon Park. Whilst many of Esme’s friends opted for university, she decided to revisit Brooksby Melton College to study dog grooming. After completing her course with distinction, Esme found employment and, in late 2019, was met with the realisation that she had the ability to start her own business.

Lee Tomes

Orange Fox Studios’ Growth Continues

by Business Success Stories

Throughout the last couple of unprecedented years, which saw the COVID-19 pandemic turn many people’s worlds upside down, stories have been told of silver linings.

From more time spent with families to the ability to reflect and make life-changing alterations, many people have spoken of the positives found with regard to the impact lockdowns and restrictions had.

Sir Thomas White Loan Charity business loan borrower and ambassador Lee Tomes is one of those people to be able to reflect on the past two years and highlight professional positives, as he revealed how fortunate he feels to have seen his video production company, Orange Fox Studios, grow during the pandemic.

“When the pandemic started, it was so unprecedented that, as a business owner, the worry was there immediately,” Lee admitted. “I actually had a bit of a slow period at the back end of 2019 leading into 2020, but there was so much going on that I sort of expected that. However, from 1 June 2020 to now, it’s not slowed down. It’s been full-on in terms of work and we’ve come through really strong, which is great.”

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Saunders Multi-Media: Providing The Means To Create A Business

by Business Success Stories

Alexander Saunders always knew he wanted to build something within Leicester and, thanks to an interest-free business loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, he has been able to do just that.

The founder of Saunders Multi-Media found opportunities to work within the media locally hard to come by following graduation from university. Having worked on a freelance basis for a number of companies within their production departments, Alexander made the leap and set off on the path of becoming his own boss.

“When I left my role with (retailer) Next, I started to pick up more freelance work, starting with the odd favour for friends, but soon it started to snowball and pick up from there,” explained Alexander. “It was at that point that I realised that, with a bit of funding, I could turn what I was doing into a legitimate business.”

Saunders Multi-Media specialises in the fields of videography and photography, working extensively within music sector, crafting music videos and covering live events, in addition to producing material for a variety of promotional purposes.

That bit of funding he required came courtesy of The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, which Alexander discovered through connecting with business support provider NBV. That support through NBV provided Alexander, admittedly a complete newcomer to the world of running a business, with knowledge and insight to accompany his professional skills.

“Looking back, I wish I’d applied sooner,” admitted Alexander when discussing The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity. “I was probably a bit taken aback, thinking it was too good to be true. When I first heard about it, I thought it sounded amazing. If I didn’t have the support of the charity, 100% I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing.

“I was able to undertake a couple of business courses, which I took prior to applying for the loan, which were useful. At the start, it was very hard. I had the knowledge and entry level equipment, but didn’t have the business acumen needed to run a business. I found out about the charity through NBV, as one of the advisers there – Gau Naik – is a trustee. I was directed onto NBV’s courses, which helped form my business plan and I was able to then go through the charity’s application process. The support I received from NBV and the courses was excellent – and if it wasn’t for those courses, I wouldn’t have been in the position to develop a realistic business.”

From that point, Alexander felt in a position to put his business idea and what he’d learned from NBV into practice by applying for an interest-free loan to get his business up and running.

“The application process was relatively easy, especially with the support that I had” said Alexander. “It was a case of tweaking a couple of bits from my business plan. It helped me look at things in depth and be realistic. Sometimes you have to mediate and be grounded, realise where you are actually at, rather than where you think you are. NBV’s guidance helped with that. It helped me grow as a person.

“I felt confident going into the interview, of course nervous to start with as you always are in those situations. You quickly realise that the people you’re speaking to want to help you.”

After seeing his application for a loan approved, Alexander utilised the funding to purchase professional videography equipment, which in turn enabled him to deliver a greater service than ever before, whilst a sum was also set out for marketing purposes; namely a new website for his business.

“I’ve always encouraged anybody interested in applying for a loan from The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to go for it,” admitted Alexander. “I’ve got friends in similar situations to me when I left uni, working in a corporate job and not enjoying it, and I say to them that they should go for it and take a risk while they’re young. When you have a charity like The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity that has terms which enable you to build something, you owe it to yourself to try. It’s a personal loan, so it’s not held against the business. Me personally, I’m only paying back £80 a month.

“It’s a worthy investment in your future. I wouldn’t be where I am without the charity.”

To learn more about Saunders Multi-Media, please visit https://www.saundersmultimedia.com/

Alternatively, please click here to find out more about The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity’s interest-free business loans.

Grant Scheme Launch Website

Charity To Deliver Grants Of Up To £5,000 To Businesses Within The County

by News

Having provided interest-free loans to help support aspiring and existing business owners within Leicestershire and Rutland since 1542, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to announce that it is now welcoming applications for grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses within the county.

Following a hugely successful pilot business grant scheme in 2021, The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity has ensured further support be delivered in the same way this year, as the country continues to recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of £50,000 has been allocated by The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity to be delivered in business grants for 2022, and provides an additional opportunity for one of the city’s oldest charities to help more businesses at what has been an unprecedented period. Whereas the charity’s interest-free business loans are to be repaid, these grants of up to £5,000 require no repayment by recipients at all.

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£64,500 Approved in Interest-Free Loans by Charity

by News

The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is pleased to announce details of interest-free loans approved in our second quarter of 2022.

A grand total of £64,500 was approved in loans by the charity’s board at its latest meeting, which follows on from interviews with applicants to learn more about their respective ventures or plans and acts as the culmination of the charity’s application process.

Of that sum, a total of £17,500 was approved in loans to help support two business ventures within Leicestershire and Rutland; a driving instructor and a photographer.