Some on-going client projects and what our clients say about us
First Merchant Finance plc – (FMF) is a privately owned commercial finance company, lending money for the purchase and development of high street retail businesses, primarily in the catering and hospitality sectors. WBS provides two distinct services for FMF. They operate the Business Monitor Programme for FMF, a unique facility which provides the lender with on-going due diligence checks after funds have been drawn down. WBS also provide FMF with business appraisals indicating the profitability of businesses which their prospective borrowers wish to buy as well as providing an impartial opinion on how that business is currently being run.
FMF say: “We have worked closely with WBS for more than ten years and since we started the Business Monitor Programme our arrears and default rates have fallen by over sixty per cent.”
wig art make bespoke wigs for display mannequins for the retail fashion trade and for mannequin manufacturers. They also make theatrical wigs for major West End stage shows. WBS became involved with the owners of wig art when they first decided to start up their own business, and advised on the most appropriate business structure, guiding the partners through the start-up process. Since the business began to trade at Christmas 2010, WBS has provided a fully outsourced finance function.
wig art say “We have known WBS for many years as they ran outsourced finance and HR functions for the company where we used to work. When we decided to set up our own business Martin was the obvious person to turn to for advice and guidance and we have never looked back since taking that decision.”
MTM Parkhurst Ltd is a family business which, since the summer of 2008, has operated a traditional country inn in rural Suffolk, complete with a locals’ bar, a large restaurant, letting bedrooms and function rooms. WBS provides a full bookkeeping service including payroll and preparation of year-end accounts for the company and through regular planned visits offers continuous advice and guidance to help the business develop and grow.
The Parkhurst family say “This is the first business that we have owned and WBS have helped us to increase sales and profitability year on year since we started – all at a time when the licensed trade has been in serious decline. The help and guidance we have received from WBS has been invaluable.”