#BWSMAGAZINE
START UP LOANS
DELIVERS OVER £20 MILLION TO
MICROBUSINESSES IN SCOTAND
“I saw there was a gap in the market in
Aberdeen to try something different, to use local
ingredients to move the ‘toastie’ up a level from
the days of Brevilles and cheap white bread. The
feedback I have received from customers has
been incredible. People love the look of Melt, it
instantly transports them to their childhood.
Government-backed programme has
provided more than 55,000 loans to
start-ups and early stage businesses
across the UK since 2012
Scotland is fast becoming a hub for
entrepreneurship, as thousands of people turn
away from their 9-5 job in favour of setting up
their own business.
“There have been challenges along the way,
such as the collapse of the local economy
hit by the struggling oil and gas industry, but
the financial backing I received from the Start
Up Loans Company has helped my business
grow from strength to strength. The mentoring
scheme they offer has also been a bonus, with
their advice being incredibly helpful.
New figures from the Start Up Loans Company
shows that it has lent over £20 million to small
businesses in Scotland since 2014.
A total of 3,100 business in Scotland – and
over 55,000 across the UK – have received
low-interest loans with the average loan size
in Scotland totalling £7,000. Mechelle Clark,
founder of Melt Aberdeen, Aberdeen’s first
Grilled cheese sandwich shop, received a
low-interest loan of £20,000 to set up her own
business.
Commenting on hitting the £20 million milestone,
Joanna Hill, managing director at The Start Up
Loans Company, said:
“It’s fantastic to hear success stories like
Mechelle’s
who have started their own
business through our low-interest loans.
Achieving £20million of lending to Scottish
start-ups highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of
budding business owners in the country. “Start-
ups are the backbone to the UK’s economy, so
it’s fantastic to see small businesses like Melt
Aberdeen flourish.”
After being made redundant twice in the same
year from the oil and gas industry, Mechelle
was inspired by the London foodie scene to
launch her own grilled cheese shop. With the
help of the low-interest loan, Melt Aberdeen has
been trading for two years, serving up different
toasties filled with quality local ingredients
throughout the day. Since launch, the business
now generates a turnover of £130,000. Mechelle
employs two full-time members of staff to
service the business.
For over a year, the business has also been
operating a ‘Meltmobile’, and plans to open a
second store this year.
Mechelle Clark, founder of Melt Aberdeen, said:
“I’ve always had a passion for cooking, and after
being made redundant and attending up to 60
job interviews, I decided enough was enough
and it was time to set up my open business
doing what I love.
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