Can we finance the building work and decorating?

Asset finance is for tangible equipment. However, we can arrange an unsecured business loan to cover the "soft costs" of building work, plumbing, electrics, and decorating required for the visitor centre fit-out.

Do we need a separate loan for every piece of equipment?

No. We can bundle multiple assets from different suppliers—such as the EPOS system, the tasting bar, and the furniture—into a single asset finance agreement with one manageable monthly payment.

Will lenders fund a visitor centre if we lease the building?

Yes. It is common for distilleries to lease their premises. Lenders will usually want to ensure that the remaining term on your property lease is longer than the term of the finance agreement.

Can we finance interactive exhibition technology?

Yes. Asset finance can cover high-end AV equipment, interactive screens, projection systems, and specialist lighting used to create immersive distillery tours.

Visitor Centre Finance

Finance for distillery visitor centres & tasting rooms

Distillery tourism builds brand loyalty and delivers high-margin direct-to-consumer sales. We combine asset finance and business loans to fund world-class visitor experiences, tasting rooms, and retail spaces.

Speak to an Adviser Distilleries Hub

Speak with Arran or Graham

Mixed facilities

Funding options

1-5 years

Asset terms

150+

Lender panel

£0

Broker fees

Funding a world-class experience

Independent broker with an extensive panel of 150+ UK lenders. No upfront fees.

Complete Fit-out Finance

Visitor centres involve tangible assets (EPOS, displays, furniture) and intangible costs (decorating, plumbing, lighting). We structure packages using asset finance for the equipment and unsecured loans for the renovation work.

Preserve Working Capital

Opening a tasting room requires cash for marketing, initial retail inventory, and hospitality staff. By financing the fit-out over 1 to 5 years, you retain your cash reserves to manage a successful launch.

Retail & Hospitality Assets

High-quality display shelving, bespoke tasting bars, and commercial kitchen equipment are expensive. Asset finance allows you to install top-tier finishes that reflect your brand's premium positioning.

Commercial Mortgages

If you are purchasing a separate building or expanding your freehold site to accommodate a visitor centre, we can arrange commercial mortgages tailored to the hospitality and distilling sectors.

What we can fund for visitor centres

Specialist finance options to match your requirements.

Bespoke tasting bars & counters

Retail display shelving & units

Indoor & outdoor furniture

EPOS & ticketing software

Commercial kitchen equipment

Glasswashers & ice machines

Lighting, AV & exhibition tech

Toilet & washroom renovations

HVAC & air conditioning

Security systems & CCTV

Signage & wayfinding

Mini-buses for distillery tours

Who you could speak to

Arran Turner

Managing Director

General commercial finance and how Sorbus works

Profile

Graham Nash

Commercial Finance Director

Business loans, cash flow and wider commercial funding

Profile

STEP 1
A conversation with a broker
You talk to a real Sorbus broker about the business, the purpose and what is affordable. No application at this stage.
STEP 2
Credit placement
If you choose to go further, we prepare the case and decide which lenders on our panel of 150+ are worth approaching.
STEP 3
Lender assessment
The lender, not Sorbus, underwrites and makes the credit decision. Approval is never guaranteed.
STEP 4
Documentation
If a lender offers terms and you accept, we help coordinate agreements and payout paperwork with you.

Every step after the first is optional. You can stop after the conversation. Sorbus is a broker, not a lender.

Client journey

Explore real client journeys

Read how real businesses approached a funding goal, what Sorbus arranged and what happened next.

Browse anonymised case studies

Enquire about Visitor Centre Finance

Start with a conversation

Tell us a little about what you need and who you would like to speak to. No obligation, no credit check at this stage. We aim to respond within one business day, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm.

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Prefer to call?

Speak directly to an adviser Monday–Friday, 9am–5:30pm.

01246 383500

Free call. No obligation.

Unique to Sorbus Finance

Optional: Business Finance Health Check

Before you approach lenders, understand your borrowing readiness with our free Business Finance Health Check, tailored for UK businesses.

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hello@sorbusfinance.co.uk

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The Business Finance Health Check scores your readiness to borrow, business resilience, and growth potential. Free, under 5 minutes, no obligation.

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Questions answered

Common queries about visitor centre finance.

Ready to welcome your customers?

Speak to our hospitality and manufacturing finance specialists to fund your distillery visitor centre project.

01246 383500 Distilleries Hub