Finance for sports clubs, padel centres & leisure businesses

Sports clubs and leisure businesses can access asset finance (hire purchase and finance lease) for courts, equipment, groundskeeping machinery and vehicles; business loans for refurbishment, expansion or working capital; and commercial mortgages to purchase clubhouse or facility premises. As an independent whole-of-market broker, Sorbus Finance compares all of these across 100+ UK lenders.

Yes. Padel court installations, including the steel structure, glass panels, artificial turf surface, LED floodlighting, and fencing, can be financed using asset finance or a business loan. Courts typically cost £30,000–£80,000 each depending on specification. We have access to lenders familiar with the padel sector who understand the asset and its residual value. Finance lease or hire purchase can spread the cost over 3–7 years.

Yes. Sports clubs operating as limited companies, CICs, or with strong trading accounts can access business loans from £5,000 to £5,000,000+. Loan purposes can include clubhouse refurbishment, facility upgrades, pitch or court resurfacing, bar fit-out, or bridging a seasonal cashflow gap. Lenders will assess trading history, turnover, and the purpose of funding.

Yes. Golf course equipment, including fairway mowers, greens mowers, tractors, utility vehicles, golf buggies, and maintenance machinery, can be financed using hire purchase or finance lease. New and used assets are both fundable. Where you already own equipment, sale-and-leaseback can release capital for other investment.

Yes. Gym fit-out finance covers free weights, resistance machines, cardio equipment, functional training rigs, flooring, lockers, and reception fit-out. Finance lease and hire purchase are both available, typically over 2–5 years. Some lenders will fund a full fit-out as a single facility loan rather than requiring each asset to be listed individually.

It depends on the business structure. An established operator opening a new facility has more options than a brand-new start-up. Lenders typically want 12–24 months of trading history for unsecured lending, though asset finance is more accessible for newer businesses where the asset itself provides security. We will assess your situation and identify the most appropriate lenders.

Yes. LED floodlighting systems for tennis courts, padel courts, football pitches, cricket grounds, and multi-use games areas can be financed. The systems retain good residual value and most specialist lenders are comfortable funding them. Finance lease is particularly popular as it keeps the asset off the balance sheet and makes replacement easier at end of term.