The Eight Wonders Of The Business Leasing World

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Why are businesses increasingly opting to lease a wide range of equipment and technology rather than purchase it outright? Here is a list of eight benefits companies of all sizes can enjoy by arranging a flexible lease agreement with a reputable leasing partner.

1. Keep up to date with technology

As any business grows, its requirements change and keeping up with the latest equipment or software can be an expensive challenge. With leasing, equipment can be added or upgraded at any time during the lease period without having to repurchase, so you will always have the most up-to-date and efficient equipment.

2. Improve cash flow

Leasing can help improve your cash flow by keeping your working capital free. This leaves you with funds available to reinvest elsewhere in your business.

3. No large capital outlay

Using a leasing scheme, businesses enjoy the obvious volume advantages of ordering equipment in bulk, but without the disadvantage of having to pay for purchase upfront.

4. Instant return on investment

For a small initial payment, the asset you require is yours to use straightaway. Leasing enables you to pay for the equipment you need over a fixed period of time, which helps you spread the cost over the life of the equipment and budget effectively.

5. Tailored agreements

Agreements can be over an agreed period, for example two years, and repayments can be made monthly, quarterly or annually, by direct debit or invoice, whichever is most convenient. Lease payments can even be tailored to match your seasonal cash flow.

6. Total flexibility

Leasing offers the flexibility to acquire the latest equipment your business requires straight away or quickly respond to an opportunity in the market. It prevents having to delay the implementation of plans until sufficient funds become available, enabling new technology to be adopted immediately.

7. Considerable tax benefits

Lease rental payments can qualify as a  business expense that can be set against profit – thereby potentially reducing your tax bill. Outright purchase does not offer the same level of tax benefit.

8. Accurate budgeting

With leasing you have a fixed interest rate. This protects you against interest rate rises and enables you to plan your budget effectively. And as inflation rises, because your payments are fixed, the cost of the equipment reduces in real terms.

For more information, download WestWon’s free Essential Guide to Leasing for Business.

Leasing In Tyne and Wear Supports Local Economic Growth

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ONS figures for UK GDP published at the end of April 2014 show the UK economy growing at 0.8% over quarter one, some 3.1% higher than this time last year. This is being reflected in the local economy in Tyne and Wear  and local towns in the area such as Gateshead, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, North Shields, Sunderland, Washington where confidence amongst local businesses is returning.

On the back of recent amendments to the AIA, businesses in the region of Tyne and Wear are increasing or bringing forward their capital investments in equipment and machinery to drive growth and increase productivity and throughout the local region are increasingly recognising the benefits of leasing to finance these investments. With a strong presence in Tyne and Wear, leading leasing company WestWon  has a wide network of 140 local leasing finance partners and has successfully arranged lease agreements for many businesses in the county.

Using a local leasing company not only allows businesses to improve performance by acquiring the latest technology without tying up capital or existing lines of credit, but it also protects against future obsolescence – a major issue for IT and computing equipment. It also helps start up businesses such as gyms and catering establishments  – coffee shops, restaurants, takeaways – to acquire essential equipment fast, Plus, leasing payments offer considerable tax benefits and can even be tailored to match businesses’ seasonal cash flow.

Working in partnership with businesses, WestWon Limited can arrange a highly competitive lease agreement for a wide range of equipment from IT hardware and software or office furniture to catering equipment as well as essential insurance cover. Indeed, WestWon has recently completed many local leasing agreements in the Tyne and Wear area.

Unlike buying, leasing means you can pay as you use. After an initial payment, you can start benefiting from the equipment straight away and spread the cost over its useful life, so you can be paying for the asset with the income it generates.

Some of the most popular types of equipment leased are:

  • IT equipment (e.g. computers, tablets, printers)
  • IT Software
  • Engineering equipment
  • Office furniture
  • Scientific and medical technology
  • Catering equipment
  • Industrial machinery
  • Hairdressing and beauty equipment
  • Sports and leisure equipment
  • Processing and packaging machines
  • Retail equipment
  • Manufacturing equipment (e.g. cutting machines, injection moulding systems)
  • CCTV and security systems
  • Scaffolding and construction equipment
  • Waste and recycling equipment

In fact, almost any type of tangible equipment can be considered for leasing. This can even include hardware, software and maintenance agreements. You can also source equipment from multiple suppliers.

The company has many years’ experience working with organisations in the private and public sector in Wiltshire, including a large number of the near on 450 schools in the region, helping them source manufacturers and equipment or provide information and quotes on various options.

For more advice on leasing and selecting a reputable leasing partner, download your free Essential Guide to Leasing for Business.

 

More About Leasing Warehouse Fittings And Fit Outs

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For many companies, a well-equipped warehouse is an essential part of their operations plan and inextricably linked with business productivity and competitive edge. Whether it is simply a case of updating your warehouse racking or, at the other end of the scale, planning a complete workspace design and fit out or relocation, leasing can be the ideal way to finance your warehouse project.

Leasing warehouse updates and fit outs can include many diverse elements, such as:

  • Leasing for LED lighting and power
  • Leasing for ventilation systems
  • Leasing IT equipment – hardware such as computers, servers, and software.
  • Leasing for desks and other office furniture and joinery.
  • Lease finance for Lantech pallet wrappers or Lantech shrink wrappers
  • Leasing the design and build of mezzanine flooring
  • Rental for a fork lift truck
  • Leasing air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems
  • Leasing  warehouse racking
  • Leasing  pallet racking systems for narrow aisle, double deep or wide aisles
  • Leasing anti-collapse mesh or frame systems
  • Leasing partitioning and shelving
  • leasing shrink wrapper or packaging machines
  • Leasing trapping machinery

 

Buying or refurbishing a warehouse and fitting it out is, without doubt, a capital-intensive project and may even include major modifications such as installing a mezzanine floor (an extremely cost-effective way to transform unused vertical space into a storage, production or office area in your warehouse.) Many companies realise that the upfront investment in new warehousing facilities will save money in the long run, by driving efficiency and minimising labour costs. Finding a leasing deal that covers some or all your warehouse refit costs can be an excellent way to acquiring the warehousing you need now and spreading the cost over the useful life of the facility, which could be many years.

WestWon has extensive experience of arranging the best leasing deals for warehouse fittings and fit outs. For more information please contact WestWon on Tel: 01494 611456. Alternatively, you can email us: [email protected]

Local Leasing Helps Warwickshire Feed Tourist Boom

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The local economy in Warwickshire has developed successfully over the years and has shown significant resilience during the recession. Like many counties across the UK, it has seen more and more businesses turn to leasing to finance their businesses plans.

The county town of Warwickshire is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton and the county is divided into five districts of North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Rugby, Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon. The market town of Stratford Upon Avon, just 22 miles  from the UK’s second largest city, Birmingham, is globally renowned as the birthplace of Shakespeare. Steeped in literary heritage. Warwickshire is also the birthplace of novelist George Eliot, and the county as a whole benefits from a vibrant tourist industry.

Leading asset finance and leasing company, WestWon has recently helped over 30 businesses in a variety of sectors in the County Of Warwickshire, and particularly those involved in the tourist industry, to acquire the assets they need to grow and prosper by arranging flexible lease agreements.

Leasing is one of the fastest growing and most popular ways to finance equipment and technology for small and medium sized businesses in Warwickshire, particularly for the leisure, hospitality and catering sectors, local service providers and start-up enterprises.

As well as the ability to frequently update specialist equipment without tying up available cash, a leasing scheme can offer considerable tax benefits. With an operating lease, lease ‘rental’ payments are an allowable business expense that can be set against profit – thereby potentially reducing your tax bill. Plus, lease payments can be tailored to match a company’s seasonal cash flow and a combination of equipment from different suppliers can be covered under a single lease agreement.

Some of the most popular types of equipment leased in Warwickshire are:

  • IT equipment (e.g. computers, tablets, printers)
  • IT Software
  • Engineering equipment
  • Office furniture
  • Scientific and medical technology
  • Catering equipment
  • Industrial machinery
  • Hairdressing and beauty equipment
  • Sports and leisure equipment
  • Hotel fixtures and fit outs
  • Processing and packaging machines
  • Retail equipment
  • CCTV and security systems
  • Waste and recycling equipment

With an extensive network of 150 leasing finance partners and suppliers throughout the county, which includes over 25 in Rugby alone, WestWon is able to provide to local companies with tailored leasing and a dedicated local leasing account manager who possesses valuable local knowledge. The company is also offers specialist lease finance funding and parental donation schemes for iPads and tablets suitable for the 238  local schools in Warwickshire.

For more advice on leasing and selecting a reputable local leasing company, download your free Essential Guide to Local Leasing for Business.

How To Set Up Your New Coffee Shop Business

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Setting up your own business is more popular than ever before. Business students Louise French and Amber King provide some useful top tips for new start entrepreneurs in the ever-popular world of coffee shops and catering.

Firstly – and this may sound obvious – make sure you have enough money set aside to start up your coffee shop business. Ensure there is sufficient funding to secure the premises and that all start-up costs are covered. One way to work out how much money is needed for the set-up of a coffee shop is by constructing a business plan which could include; wages for employees, the cost of equipment and any insurance.

Secondly, location is key in building your business:  whether on a busy high street or an industrial estate, the success of a business depends heavily on its location. Easy access to the premises and facilities such as a near-by car park are an important part of the stress-free experience that you want customers to experience when visiting your coffee shop,

Another important aspect to consider is health and safety and food hygiene. This includes food being cooked at the correct temperature and storing and handling the food correctly. Inspections will regularly occur therefore, making sure your business is up to the standard required is important and are adequately trained in food handling processes.

Also you should make sure at least one employee is a qualified fire officer and at least one is a First Aider in case of any emergencies. It is also important that all employees know where the first aid box and any fire extinguishers are.

If you are unable to fund all necessary equipment, products and fittings required for your new coffee shop upfront then leasing may be an option. There are many benefits to leasing equipment for example, it is cost effective and is also a predictable monthly expense as the lease price will be the same every month and you can pay for equipment, for example a coffee machine, cooker and refrigeration units as well as tables and chairs, while you are actually using it. Leasing also leaves more capital for alternative projects throughout the business.

Attracting customers to your business is essential for creating revenue. Considering a theme could be one way of enticing customers. It is imperative to make sure that the theme of your shop fits in with the location and target audience. The decoration and furnishings of the interior design must be compatible with the theme and the location.  Ensuring that appropriate music is playing throughout the shop is imperative as it can affect the reputation if it is inappropriate or does not meet the theme.

A unique selling point for a coffee shop is having Internet access. Customers are more likely to visit your business if internet access is provided. The expense of internet access is often overlooked and can be quite expensive.  However IT equipment such as hardware, software, routers and telephony can all be leased and this can be a great way to cut down on upfront costs and protect cash reserves which will likely be needed for on-going running costs.

Marketing is also essential, such as having a website and brochures to advertise on a wider scale to any potential customers. Placing a small display ad in appropriate sections of weekly or daily newspapers would be good for marketing as it will entice customers. Another way of advertising would be through free giveaways and loyalty schemes to promote your shop and encourage repeat trade.  Any way to get your name out there will benefit your business.

Following these guidelines should help ensure the success of your new business.

For more information about leasing coffee shop and catering leasing download our FREE Fact Sheet.

The Only Way Is Leasing For Local Essex Businesses

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With a long history of international trade, much of the economy of Essex is characterised by small businesses. Like many regions across the UK, the county has seen more and more SMEs turn to leasing to finance their businesses plans.

Leading asset finance and leasing company, WestWon has helped over 65 local Essex businesses in a variety of sectors to acquire the assets they need to grow and prosper by arranging flexible lease agreements.

Essex, which has a population of over 1.7 million and covers 3,670km2, is an attractive location for businesses thanks to its close proximity to both London and Cambridge as well as easy access to Europe. Its infrastructure is amongst the best in the country, being home to the UK’s third largest airport, London Stansted, and the largest deep water port at Tilbury.

Leasing has an important role to play by providing businesses with the opportunity to pay for assets as they use them and keep vital lines of credit free. In terms of technology, IT equipment can become out of date in just three to four years. With a lease agreement, equipment can be added or upgraded without having to repurchase, so a business can always have the most cutting-edge hardware and software.

Many businesses find leasing advantageous from a budgeting standpoint as switching from outright purchase to a lease agreement changes how the equipment is accounted for. Leasing enables the equipment needed to be paid for over a fixed period of time, which helps spread the cost. Plus, with an operating lease, rental payments are an allowable business expense that can be set against profit – thereby potentially reducing your tax bill.

A wide range of equipment, from IT hardware and software to packaging machines and medical technology, can be leased. Other leasing options include general office equipment such as furniture and photocopiers. In fact, almost any type of tangible equipment can be considered for leasing.

With years of leasing experience in serving businesses in the Essex area, from Colchester to Romford, WestWon possesses valuable local knowledge to help companies find the right leasing solution for their particular business and has a comprehensive list of local suppliers. In fact, WestWon has over 700 partner manufacturers and suppliers throughout the county, including 74 in Colchester, 64 in Chelmsford, 39 in Basildon, 35 in Harlow and 34 in Ilford.

WestWon Limited can provide asset finance solutions for a variety of businesses in Essex. For more information, download the Essential Guide to Leasing for Business.

 

 

Office Moves Survey

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Please take a few minutes to share your point of view on the subject of moving offices. Westwon is a conducting a short survey into how frequently organisations in the UK move offices, and your response would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your participation. You will have the option to enter into a prize draw to win an iPad Air as a thank you for your time.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world’s leading questionnaire tool.

Equipment Leasing Plays A Leading Role For Local Hertfordshire Businesses

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Home to some of the biggest names in Hollywood with Warner Bros. Studies and Elstree Studios, Hertfordshire boasts an A list cast of world class businesses such as GlaxoSmithKline, Tesco Plc and EE as well as a host of fresh new start-ups. In fact, the county has around 55,000 active private sector businesses. Many of whom are discovering the benefits of leasing to finance capital investments in equipment and technology.

With a strong presence in Hertfordshire, leading local equipment leasing company WestWon, for example, has recently  successfully arranged lease agreements for over 60 businesses in a variety of sectors in the county. With over 675 partners and suppliers across the county, which includes 73 in Watford, 71 in St Albans, 40 in Stevenage, 49 in Hemel Hempstead and 19 in Barnet, the company can offer businesses a tailored local service as well as highly competitive rates.

Leasing is one of the fastest growing and most popular ways to finance equipment and technology amongst companies of all sizes and industries in Hertfordshire, from laboratories and manufacturers to restaurants and start-up enterprises.

Unlike buying, leasing means companies can pay as they use. After an initial payment, the equipment can be used straight away and the cost spread over its useful life, so the asset can be paid for with the income it generates.

Local leasing not only allows businesses to improve performance by acquiring the latest technology without tying up capital or existing lines of credit, but it also protects against future obsolesce – a major issue for IT and computing equipment.

A leasing scheme can offer considerable tax benefits too. With an operating lease, lease ‘rental’ payments are an allowable business expense that can be set against profit – thereby potentially reducing tax bills. Plus, lease payments can be tailored to match a company’s seasonal cash flow and a combination of equipment from different suppliers can be covered under a single lease agreement.

For more advice on leasing and selecting a reputable leasing partner, download your free Essential Guide to Leasing for Business.

 

 

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Equipment leasing plays a leading role for #Hertfordshire businesses  #leasing #assetfinance #SMEs

Setting Up A Hairdressing Business

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Setting up your own business is more popular than ever before. Business student Chloe Nagle takes a look at some of the issues and opportunities awaiting start up entrepreneurs in the high-growth sector of Hair and Beauty …

Did you know that there are over 39,000 hair salons in the UK? So providing this type of service is clearly a very viable business opportunity. But where to start?

In order to set up your own hairdressing business you will need to have a business plan. Firstly figure out how much money you need? Starting a business can cost a lot of money; can you still support yourself while your business gets up and running?

Costs to Consider

  • Calculate how much money you need for monthly expenses and how much you absolutely must make each month to stay afloat.
  • Calculate how much money you’ll need to run your business every month. Include rent, licensing, training, wages, supplies and an emergency fund.
  • Check all licences that are required to open up your own hairdressing business, like the Public Liability licence; you will need insurance for your business building.
  • Make sure your salon can pass a health inspection, to avoid fines or being shut down by the health department, make sure your salon is sanitary.

Location Location

  • Choose the right location – location is critical to the success of your business.
  • Get into a high-traffic area; busy streets, malls or spaces next to locations people visit often are ideal.
  • Try to have easy access; if parking is a hassle and traffic is heavy on the way to your salon, people might not consider it worth the effort.
  • Think about  the competition. Don’t situate yourself directly next to another salon.

Salon Image and staff

  • Decide on a short but suitable name for your hair salon; something that is easy to remember and ensure that this name is not already taken by another hair salon otherwise this could cause confusion for the clients.
  • You will need posters with hair styles being modelled and displays of consumables such as hair products that reflect what type of service you offer and will appeal to your target customers. Everything from the theme of your interior to the waiting area to the choice of magazines and chairs in the waiting area to the dress code for stylists will convey a message about your brand.
  •  It is important that you hire only qualified and well-trained stylists. When employing staff, ensure that they are qualified or have completed and passed a course with a GNVQ level 2 with an advised 5 years’ experience. They will also need to be interviewed and trainees will need to be trained.
  • You will need to decide the right level for employee’s wages.
  • Also, create a clean and safe atmosphere, salons thrive on an environment that is clean, safe and relaxing, where customers can receive prompt and professional service.

Hairdressing Equipment

You will clearly need furniture and machines as well as other equipment for your hair salon. Consider whether leasing hairdressing equipment versus buying it would beneficial for your business. Leasing enables you to pay for essential hairdressing equipment over its useful life via regular payments, normally over 2-5 years, avoiding the need to find large sums of money upfront and protecting your cash flow and other lines of credit.

You can lease almost any type of equipment as well as salon fit out costs, including

  • Lighting and flooring and acoustics leasing
  • Cashier equipment and computer reception area where appointments can be made
  • Clocks, chairs, mirrors, decorations leasing
  • Electronics- hair dryer and straighteners leasing
  • Sink and chair area for the hair washing station leasing
  • Bins and waste disposal units leasing
  • Kitchen area, where staff can make coffee leasing
  • Music system and AV system leasing

Publicity

  • Advertising your hair salon in the local newspaper or magazines is a great way to send across the message to people living within the area that a new hairdressers has just opened up.
  • Set up a social media page or a website for your new business that is well- presented, clear and informative about your services, with directions and prices, this will grab people’s attention and create a good impression of your business on that individual.
  • It would be beneficial for your business if you advertise deals, discounts and good offers for the services available in your hair salon, as this will entice people to come to your hair salon. If customers think that they are saving money on a great service, they are more likely to return and tell others about you and support your independent hairdressers rather than a branch of a well-known hair salon.

 

Finally, it is worth mentioning that the competition between branch owned hair salons and freelance hairdressers is actually not as tough as people might think, and the reason for that is that they are offering two very different types of service, depending on the prices and deals of the services offered at each salon or a hairdresser which is convenient for the customer regardless of whether it is a branch or independent.

In summary, it is important that your business creates and maintain the desirable reputation as a quality hair and/or beauty salon, so that clients keep returning for maintenance. Try to give them the best possible experience each time, and go out of your way to make them feel valued.

Download the Guide To Leasing Hairdressing Equipment

Equipment Leasing Delivers Definite Benefits For Local Dorset Businesses

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From Dorchester to Bournemouth, businesses across Dorset are increasingly recognising the benefits of local equipment leasing to finance capital investments in equipment and machinery to drive growth and increase productivity.

Dorset has a prosper business community of over 33,500 businesses and is home to international or UK headquarters of many world leading organisations such as AIM Aviation, Dorset Cereals, Sunseeker International, Lush, Farrow & Ball and Merlin Entertainment. The advanced engineering sector employs around 15,400 people and contributes £800m to Dorset’s economy. While, the Food & Drink industry provides 12,500 jobs and is one of Dorset’s most important industrial sectors, with companies such as Ryvita, Organix baby foods and Dorset Cereals.

Local leasing deals not only allow businesses in a variety of sectors to improve performance by acquiring the latest technology without tying up capital or existing lines of credit, but they also protect against future obsolescence – a major issue for IT and computing equipment. Plus, leasing payments offer considerable tax benefits, and can even be tailored to match the seasonal cash flow of a business.

A wide range of equipment, from IT hardware and software to packaging machines and medical technology, can be leased. Other leasing options include general office equipment such as furniture and photocopiers. In fact, almost any type of tangible equipment can be considered for leasing.

Local leasing company WestWon Limited has many years’ experience working with organisations in the private and public sector in the county of Dorset, helping them source manufacturers and equipment as well as arranging flexible lease agreements. The company is well placed to provide businesses with a tailored local service with over 220 partners and suppliers in the county, which includes over 60 in Poole, 30 in Bournemouth, 28 in Wimborne and 27 in Dorchester and Christchurch.

For more advice on leasing and how to choose a reputable local leasing partner, download your free Essential Guide to Leasing for Business.

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