Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What invoice financing or discounting services do members recommend for drinks businesses?
Several invoice financing providers are actively used and recommended by members in the drinks industry. - **Close Brothers** — Known for strong industry expertise in drinks. Rigorous due diligence process, but highly regarded. Offers bad debt cover. Members have made introductions available. - **HYDR** — Charges 5% and pays same day the invoice is raised. Integrates with Xero and banking systems. Proactive in chasing buyer approval and follow-up. Members report no issues and recommend. - **Novuna** — Used by members; recommended for invoice financing. - **Growth Lending** — Mentioned as an option for invoice financing in the drinks space. - **Time Finance** — Recommended by members who can provide introductions. Members specifically noted they wanted providers that **understand the drinks industry** rather than generic lenders. Close Brothers' strong bad debt cover was highlighted as valuable. HYDR's same-day payment and proactive buyer-chasing were cited as practical advantages.
Which invoice financing providers offer competitive terms and good service for growing drinks businesses?
Members recommend several invoice financing firms with proven track records in the sector. The key is to actively compare fees, as rates vary significantly. **Recommended providers:** - **Gapcap** — praised as "pretty good" by members who've worked with them - **AcceleratedPayments** — reported to work well - **Lloyds** — described as working "very well" - **Close Brothers** — noted as "excellent" by recent users; ask for Péter Hook (ex-Aldermore), described as a "really nice guy" - **Credit Agricole** — members found this option ~50% cheaper than Aldermore in recent fee analysis - **Aldermore** — members have used this for 18+ months but flag that recent fee analysis showed significantly higher costs than competitors; one member also reported they attempted to include a personal guarantee in the contract without explicit discussion or consent, which they had to challenge **Key caveats:** - Do your own fee comparison before committing—rates differ substantially between providers - Close Brothers was noted as "quite old school," which may or may not suit your preference - At least one member raised concerns about Aldermore's contracting practices; review terms carefully - Request fee comparisons upfront when vetting providers For specialist support, members mentioned **Trent Peek** (01623 259 580, trent@wearefulfilment.co.uk) as a recommended contact, though the context suggests he may provide broader supply-chain support rather than financing specifically.
What B2B credit checking and financial risk assessment platforms do members recommend?
Members recommend **Dun & Bradstreet** as a go-to solution for B2B credit checks. This is the primary platform mentioned by the community for assessing financial risk and creditworthiness of business counterparties.