FIN(4)FW061
Finance Wales Inquiry
Response from Elite Fitness

I have been asked to make comments regarding Finance Wales and the experiences I have had as an customer.

I’ve run a gym business now for 10 years, my first venture as an entrepreneur. I took a great deal of confidence from being backed by Finance Wales with a £30K loan. An finance house linked to local government makes you feel as If you have been given a helping hand a leg up if you like. Having already been accepted for a loan from Lloyds for £30K I realised that without putting up equity from my personal assets that a second loan would have been difficult to come by.

I have always found Finance Wales easy to deal with and supportive even when I went through tough times in the first 5 years and I have excellent personal relationships with staff within Finance Wales. Unlike my business bank, personnel at Finance Wales seem to remain in office and so continuity remains.

Finally, I would like a lower interest rate (below market rate) and I think government in Wales would do well to support the small business community with greater financial support particularly in central Cardiff which is outside many of the grant and finance supported areas.

If you would like further comment on specific areas feel free to contact me

Simon Harling MSc, CSCS

Elite Fitness