Subsidised and Guaranteed Loans

• Both the West of Scotland Loan Fund (www.wslf.co.uk) and the East of Scotland Investment Fund (01738 448323; www.eastscoinvest.co.uk) offer loans of up to £50,000 to businesses in eligible sectors.
• Larger businesses may be able to borrow from the Scottish Loan Fund. You must have a turnover of at least £1 million and be looking for a loan of at least £250,000. Find out more about the Scottish Loan Fund by contacting Maven Capital Partners (0141 306 7400; www.mavencp.com).

5.3 Businesses in Northern Ireland may be able to borrow from the Enterprise Northern Ireland Loan Fund.

• Existing businesses can borrow between £1,000 and £25,000 for up to five years. New start-ups can borrow up to £10,000 for a maximum of three years. Contact Enterprise Northern Ireland (028 7776 3555; www.enterpriseni.com). 5.4 Regional funding in England is currently limited. Loans were available through Regional Development Agencies, but these were scheduled to be wound down by March 2012. New loan programmes may become available through their successor organisations, Local Enterprise Partnerships. Additional funding opportunities may be developed by Capital for Enterprise Limited (www.capitalforenterprise.gov.uk), the Governement's centre of expertise on finance for smaller businesses. 5.5 Businesses in former steel areas may be able to borrow from UK Steel Enterprise. Loans are provided to new and existing businesses based in or relocating to one of the designated steel areas. Fixed rate loans of up to £750,000 are available, typically for a term of three to four years. Smaller loans can be provided without requiring security and without additional administration charges. Contact UK Steel Enterprise (0114 273 1612; www.uksteelenterprise.co.uk). 5.6 Various schemes target particular groups or sectors of the community. Businesses in deprived communities may be able to borrow from a Community Development Finance Institution (see www.findingfinance.org.uk). The Prince's Trust Enterprise Programme (www.princes-trust.org.uk) provides small start-up loans for new businesses started by individuals aged between 18 and 30. Entrepreneurs aged 50 or older may be able to borrow up to £10,000 as a PRIME Business Start-up Loan (www.primebusinessclub.com).