December Deals of the Month

Location

Erdington

Amount lent

Six-figure investment from NatWest.

Why

Founded in 1964 and with a headcount of 50, the family-run firm operates quarry, recycling and packaging sites across the West Midlands. Using a fleet of 34 vehicles, materials including recycled aggregates, sand and gravel are delivered to builder’s merchants, garden centres and specialist builders UK-wide.

Keen to expand and purchase a new quarry, H.D. Ricketts’ managing director Adrian Ricketts turned to NatWest and secured a six-figure loan. The deal has enabled the business to purchase a 320-acre site in Weeford, Staffordshire. Over the next two years, the onsite workshop and office premises will also be upgraded to incorporate renewable energy sources, including solar panels and wood burners.

Key individuals involved

Adrian Ricketts, managing director for H.D. Ricketts, and Neil Mellings, senior relationship manager for NatWest.

Location

Worcestershire

Amount lent

Six-figure finance deal from NatWest and its finance arm Lombard.

Why

Witley Jones Furniture was founded in 1997 by Chris and Jane Jones and specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of furniture, primarily within the education sector. With clients UK-wide and 26 staff, the business operates out of a 20,000 square-foot workshop located in Stourport-on-Severn. The funding obtained by NatWest has not only enabled the company to purchase a nearby workshop and storage unit, increasing floor space by a further 7,500 square feet, but also to install a fully-integrated biomass boiler which will be fuelled by the waste wood left over from the core manufacturing processes, significantly reducing energy costs.

Key individuals involved

Chris and Jane Jones, founders of Witley Jones Furniture, and Phil Whiteley, senior relationship manager for NatWest.

Location

Hanley, Staffordshire

Amount lent

£70,000

Why

Recent graduate Charlotte Green has taken ownership of the Super Shop convenience store and newsagents thanks to funding received by NatWest. Having renamed the store and adjusted the layout, Charlotte now has plans to improve the premises and introduce new products and services.

Key individuals involved

Business owner Charlotte Green, and NatWest senior relationship manager Mark Savill.

Location

Leicester

Amount lent

A six-figure loan from NatWest.

Why

Following a decade working for others, Dr Alif Moosajee has purchased the independent practice Oakdale Dental with the help of NatWest. The investment sees Dr Moosajee create three new roles, increasing headcount to 23, and embark on refurbishment works which will include restyling the waiting area to a 1930s theme to commemorate when the practice was founded.

Key individuals involved

Dr Moosajee, principle dentist and new owner of Oakdale Dental, and John Hemsworth, senior relationship manager and healthcare specialist for NatWest.

Location

Bristol

Amount lent

A loan of £100,000

Why

New restaurant-owner Simon Quarrie has been managing The Clifton Sausage for around 10 years, and he has now bought the business with help from NatWest.

Thanks to the funding received, Simon and wife Joy have retained the 20 staff who were already working at the restaurant in Portland Street, and in the short-term they plan to revamp the menu, focusing on the lunchtime offering, as well as undertaking some refurbishment work. The couple has also plans to open more branches elsewhere, rolling out their brand across other towns and cities.

Key individuals involved

The Clifton Sausage owners Simon and Joy Quarrie and NatWest relationship manager Paul Williams.