Finance for EPOS and stock management firm
Leading EPOS and stock management firm Top to Toe supports retail growth with CBILS funding arranged by BIZL
Sector
Technology retail
Location
North London
Purpose
Funding through COVID
Leading EPOS and stock management firm Top to Toe supports retail growth with CBILS funding arranged by BIZL
Scenario
EPOS and stock management firm Top to Toe secured the Government-backed CBILS funding they needed to continue supporting the retail sector during the pandemic.
Top to Toe was founded in 1986 to solve the problem of tracking stock for clothing and footwear retailers. As technology has advanced, so have the services Top to Toe have been able to provide. They now are a market-leading player of comprehensive retail stock management solutions for the fashion and sports sectors, providing the latest proprietary technology to thousands of retailers across the UK and Ireland.
With the retail sector heavily hit by COVID restrictions Top to Toe found itself providing vital support to independents and chains. Their clients have continued to use the Top to Toe system throughout the lockdown, and with the right infrastructure in place weathered the COVID storm well. In many cases Top to Toe have supported real growth in the web-based businesses they serve.
Problem
Given the uncertainty ahead the company wanted a safety net as lockdown drew to an end. Top to Toe therefore sought finance under the Government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS). However, like many other businesses, their bank was not accredited to provide CBILS funding and so they risked missing out on this vital support.
Solution
Their bank manager referred them on to BIZL who were able to source a CBILS-accredited lender to back the business. BIZL’s experienced business finance specialists took time to talk through the business, the impacts of COVID and their future plans in order to secure the backing of an alternative finance provider. A comprehensive funding package was then agreed within a week, giving Top to Toe the confidence it needed to push ahead with growth plans.
“The guys at BIZL were really good, they explained what was needed and kept in touch throughout the whole process - and they got the result we wanted!”