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New Start Restaurant Finance
A Passion for Food, Wine, and Business Brought to Life
When Rosie Watts graduated in 2022 with a degree in Classical Singing and Opera, she, like many others during the pandemic, found herself uncertain about her next steps. Seeking work, she took a job at a small village wine bar, a decision that would unexpectedly shape her future. Over time, Rosie’s curiosity about wine grew, and as she progressed to manager, she developed valuable customer service and hospitality skills that would become the foundation of her next chapter.
Her passion led her to pursue her WSET Level 2 qualification in wine, deepening her understanding of grape varieties, soil types, and winemaking techniques. She went on to work in fine dining, joining respected establishments such as Ember, Rushton Hall, and a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Four Seasons called Pavyllon. These experiences refined her appreciation for food and wine and inspired her to create her own space, one that brought together great cuisine, fine wine, and a welcoming atmosphere.
One day, while driving through Earls Barton, a Northamptonshire village, Rosie noticed a building for sale and instantly saw its potential. From that moment, her vision for Sip and Olive was born: a warm, inviting restaurant where people could enjoy exceptional food, wine, and company in a relaxed setting.
Our Financial Solution
That’s when Rosie reached out to Portman Finance Group. From her very first conversation with her dedicated account manager, Niall, she felt supported and understood. Niall took the time to explain the available hospitality finance options clearly and guided Rosie through each stage of the process. He helped her prepare her documentation and ensured her application was complete and accurate. And within just a few hours, Rosie received multiple offers!
The funding covered every essential element of the project – furniture, fittings, a coffee machine, kitchen equipment, fridges, and even electrical and plumbing work. With the finance in place, Rosie and her team transformed the space in just six weeks, completing the restaurant’s full renovation and meeting her opening deadline.
The Challenge
Although Rosie had the experience, passion, and drive to make Sip and Olive a success, she faced significant challenges in turning her idea into reality. The property she chose was an empty shell, requiring a complete fit-out .
Like many first-time business owners in the hospitality sector, Rosie initially believed she could manage without external finance. She explored traditional options such as bank loans, lease agreements, and even angel investors, but soon found the process confusing and time-consuming. Each route demanded extensive documentation and complex requirements creating delays and leaving her uncertain about how to move forward. Without a clear understanding of business finance, Rosie felt stuck at the start line, unable to progress her plans.
The Outcome
On 12 September, Sip and Olive proudly opened its doors, bringing Rosie’s vision to life. The restaurant has quickly become a buzzing local hub, known for its welcoming atmosphere and outstanding food and wine.
Reflecting on her experience, Rosie shared:
“Compassionate, concise and amazing service! From the moment I contacted the company, Niall was incredible. He simplified everything I didn’t understand and made the process clear and concise, whilst approaching everything with compassion and care. I cannot thank him enough for his help, I now have the funds to launch my little business, thanks to Portman!”
This process has helped Rosie view business finance not as debt, but as a tool for growth and opportunity. She encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to explore funding early in their journey, recognising that with the right preparation and the right support, the process can be much smoother than expected.
The Benefits of Finance
The story of Sip and Olive is a powerful example of how the right finance for small businesses can support and transform a vision into reality. With a tailored business finance solution from Portman, Rosie turned an empty building into a thriving restaurant in just six weeks.
Her journey shows that finance doesn’t have to be something to fear, it can be the springboard that helps make your business ambitions achievable. With Portman as your partner, launching or expanding your hospitality business can be simpler, faster, and more achievable than you might think.
If you’d like to sample Rosie’s cuisine or test her wine pairing skills, then make a booking at Sip and Olive.
Portman has supported the growth of the hospitality industry since 2007
Typically, we find that businesses in this sector utilise unsecured short-term loans , unsecured term loans and Portman’s own flexible loan to grow their business. Asset finance is also popular as a way to acquire new equipment and furniture with terms from 3 months to 6 years available.
Niall Quin-Jarvis, commercial finance broker advises that one of the key things to keep in mind is to have a strong business plan and vision for the next 12 months, as it shows lenders that you’ve thought this through. The level of detail can even go down to a great menu as it adds credibility. Whether you’re converting or starting from scratch these are some things to bear in mind.
If you’d like to find out more about restaurant finance , fill in a short enquiry form or call us on 01604 761 276.
