The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity (STWLC) has announced that seven interest-free loans were awarded to businesses within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in the first quarter of 2024.
Six interest-free business loans totalling £107,500 were approved to support a variety of local businesses including a gym, café and an arboriculture company, while one existing business loan borrower received a £10,000 top-up loan from the Charity, taking the total quarterly approval amount to £117,500.
Established in 1542, STWLC hosts quarterly application windows each year in which people aged over 18 and under 45 can apply for unique interest-free loans of up to £20,000 to aid local businesses, or £10,000 to support students wishing to return to postgraduate education. The Charity’s loans are interest-free for nine years, and become repayable by equal instalments after three years.
Lucy Womack, Chair of STWLC, said: “After finishing 2023 with record-breaking numbers, we’re delighted to start the first quarter of 2024 by approving £117,500 in interest-free loans to support local businesses across the county.
“We’ve often been described as the ‘best kept secret in Leicestershire’, but I think it’s safe to say that the secret is out now! We’re so pleased that more and more people are finding out about our unique offer and coming forward to apply for interest-free loans.
“If you need money to start or grow your business, or to return to university for postgraduate education, please get in touch!”
Application packs are available to download upon completion of a contact form on our website.
The next deadline for applications is 3.30pm on Thursday 4 April 2024.