Invoice Finance Preston
Release cash tied up in unpaid invoices, strengthen day-to-day cash flow and create room to pay people, purchase materials and take on new work.
Invoice Finance Preston
Invoice finance gives Preston businesses a practical way to release working capital from eligible invoices instead of waiting for customers to pay on normal credit terms.
Shadowfax Funding Solutions helps companies compare invoice finance facilities across the market. We take time to understand the sales ledger, customer profile, payment terms and wider funding objective before recommending a route.
For businesses that invoice other businesses, delayed receipts can put pressure on wages, suppliers, materials, tax commitments and new contracts. Invoice finance can provide access to money already earned while customer payments remain outstanding.
Why Preston businesses turn to invoice finance
Preston is a major commercial centre for Lancashire, combining professional and business services with advanced manufacturing, engineering, aerospace and defence supply chains, digital activity, education, healthcare, construction and logistics.
Its position close to the M6, M55 and M65 and on the West Coast Main Line helps businesses trade across Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the wider UK. The city centre, university quarter and employment areas around central Lancashire support a varied community of established companies and growing SMEs.
Lancashire has a strong manufacturing and engineering heritage. Aerospace, defence and specialist engineering activity create opportunities for suppliers, subcontractors, recruiters, transport businesses and professional advisers throughout Preston and nearby areas such as Leyland, Chorley and South Ribble.
Professional firms, technology businesses, healthcare suppliers, recruiters, wholesalers and contractors can face the same cash-flow gap as manufacturers. Wages, materials, stock and tax may fall due before commercial customers settle 30, 60 or 90-day invoices.
Invoice finance can release working capital from eligible business-to-business invoices and can expand as qualifying sales grow. This can help a Preston business accept larger contracts, recruit staff, purchase materials or reduce pressure on a fixed overdraft.
Supporting businesses across Preston and Lancashire
Preston is well placed to act as the main funding hub for businesses across central Lancashire and the wider county.
Preston and central Lancashire
Professional services, technology, healthcare, recruitment, education-linked businesses and growing SMEs operate across the city and surrounding area.
South Ribble, Leyland and Chorley
Manufacturing, aerospace supply chains, engineering, construction, logistics and distribution businesses benefit from strong regional connections.
Wider Lancashire
Blackburn, Blackpool, Lancaster and surrounding towns support manufacturers, tourism suppliers, wholesalers, contractors and owner-managed businesses.
How invoice financing supports your business
Once approved, a facility releases an agreed proportion of eligible invoices after they are raised for completed work or delivered goods. When the customer pays, the remaining balance is released after the provider deducts the agreed charges.
This can help a business maintain predictable cash flow, reduce reliance on an overdraft and fund growth without waiting for every customer account to settle. The precise advance rate, charges and controls depend on the provider, the debtor book and the type of facility selected.
Invoice Factoring
Funding is combined with a collections and credit-control service, helping businesses that want additional support managing the sales ledger.
Invoice Discounting
The business usually retains responsibility for ledger management and collections. Confidential arrangements may be available, subject to eligibility.
Selective Invoice Finance
Where available, funding can be used against selected invoices or customer accounts rather than the whole turnover.
The benefits of invoice finance for Preston businesses
- Earlier access to money represented by unpaid invoices
- More consistent cash flow where customer terms are lengthy
- Working capital for wages, materials and supplier payments
- Funding availability that can increase with eligible sales
- Potential support for new orders and seasonal demand
- A choice of disclosed, confidential and selective structures
- Less pressure on fixed overdraft limits
- Facility costs and conditions compared before commitment
Invoice finance example
A Preston aerospace supply-chain business completes a substantial contract for a national customer and raises an invoice for £15,250. It needs working capital for materials and wages on the next job before the customer pays.
On these purely illustrative assumptions, the initial advance would be £12,962.50. Charges of 3% would equal £457.50. After the customer pays the full invoice to the facility account, the remaining retained balance would be released less the agreed charges.
Important: this is an example, not a quotation. Actual advance rates, eligibility and charges vary by provider and proposal.
Who is invoice finance suitable for?
Invoice finance is principally designed for businesses that supply goods or services to other businesses and issue invoices on agreed credit terms. It may be relevant where cash held in the sales ledger is restricting normal operations or planned growth.
- You raise invoices after supplying goods or completing work.
- Your customers are businesses rather than individual consumers.
- Your debtor book can be verified and monitored.
- You need working capital before invoices reach their due dates.
- You want funding that can respond to changes in eligible turnover.
What to expect when arranging invoice finance
Conversation
We discuss your business, customers, payment terms and funding objective.
Assessment
We review the ledger, existing borrowing and practical facility requirements.
Comparison
Suitable providers and structures are compared across the market.
Explanation
We explain availability, charges, conditions and how we are paid.
Completion
We support due diligence and documentation through to facility launch.
Arranging invoice finance in Preston
Shadowfax Funding Solutions is a commercial finance broker, not a lender. Our role is to identify suitable providers, compare the commercial details and help present the application clearly.
Where invoice finance is not the best fit, we can also discuss secured overdrafts, asset and equipment finance, trade finance and commercial loans.
Invoice Finance Preston FAQs
Why use a finance broker rather than approaching one provider?
A broker can compare multiple providers and help match the application to lenders whose appetite and operating model suit the business. The comparison should consider service, funding availability, conditions and total cost.
Can technology, engineering and professional service businesses use invoice finance?
Yes, where the business raises eligible business-to-business invoices. It can help bridge the gap between paying staff, subcontractors, software, materials or operating costs and receiving payment from commercial customers.
Can a new or growing business apply?
Potentially. Some providers consider younger companies where the underlying sales ledger, customer quality, management and funding requirement are suitable.
Can I switch from an existing invoice finance provider?
Yes, subject to the existing agreement and approval by the replacement provider. A review can compare cost, service, concentration limits, availability and contractual terms.
Will customers know that the facility is in place?
That depends on the arrangement. Factoring is commonly disclosed, while confidential invoice discounting may be available to eligible businesses.
How is Shadowfax Funding Solutions paid?
We explain any fees and commission before you proceed. Payment is commonly received as commission from the lender following completion, although the exact arrangement will be disclosed for the proposal.
Speak to an invoice finance broker in Preston
Whether you are comparing an existing facility or exploring invoice finance for the first time, we will give you a clear view of the available options and tell you honestly whether we believe we can help.
Funding is subject to status, lender approval and applicable terms. Shadowfax Funding Solutions Limited acts as a commercial finance broker, not a lender.