Mike Bailey, CAVA Finance 0161 222 9599
Hints & Tips, News

As environmental pollution is becoming a growing concern, the government are starting to introduce more restrictions for vehicles to create “Clean Air Zones”, usually based in and around city centres. If your vehicle exceeds emission standards, you will be charged daily to drive through these “Clean Air Zones”.

Currently, there are four different types of Clear Air Zones, each targeting different vehicles.

  1. Class A – Buses, Coaches and Private Hire Vehicles,
  2. Class B – Buses, Coaches, Taxis, Private Hire Vehicles and HGVs
  3. Class C – Buses, Taxis, Private Hire Vehicles and HGVs
  4. Class D – Buses, Coaches, Taxis, Private Hire Vehicles , HGVs, LGVs and cars.


Currently, the majority of Clear Air Zones to be implemented are going to be Class D with the exception of a few cities.

There are some exemptions from these Clear Air Zones, but these will vary across the cities.

 

What are the emission standards?

To travel within a Clean Air Zone without charge, your vehicle must be compliant with the emission standards. 

Currently, if your vehicle is running on petrol, then it must be at least a Euro 4 emission standard compliant (registered after January 2006).

If your vehicle is a diesel, then it must be Euro 6 emission standard compliant (registered after September 2015)

If your vehicle comes under the targeted category in your city and isn’t compliant with these standards, you will be charged daily.

 

Clean Air Zone Cities

Cities that already have Clear Air Zones are:

London – London is an Ultra Low Emission Zone and operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week, except for Christmas day

Portsmouth – Portsmouth Clean Air Zone has only recently started in November 2021 and is a Class B Zone

Bath – Bath has been a Class B Zone since it started in March 2021

Birmingham – Birmingham kicked off their Class D Clean Air Zone on 1st June 2021

Cities to get Clean Air Zones are:

Manchester – Manchester will introduce their first phase 30th May 202, with the second phase starting on 1st June 2023

Oxford – A Zero Emission Zone will start in Oxford in February 2022

Dundee – Dundee will introduce a Class C Clean Air Zone on 30th May 2022

Edinburgh – 31st May 2022 will see the start of Edinburgh’s Class C Air Zone

Aberdeen – Aberdeen’s Class C Air Zone will also come into place in May 2022

Newcastle – Newcastle was set to start their Class C Air Zone in January 2021 but due to complications, it has now been set back to the summer of 2022 with no official date set.

Sheffield – Sheffield also do not have a date set but will be expected to bring in their Clear Air Zone at the end of 2022

 

How much will I be charged?

The amount you pay for these charges will depend on your vehicle type, and the city you are in.

London

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £100

Cost per day for taxis: £12.50

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £12.50

Portsmouth –

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £50 (est)

Cost per day for taxis: £10 (est)

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £10 (est)

Bath

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £100

Cost per day for taxis: £9

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £0

Birmingham

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £50

Cost per day for taxis: £8

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £8

Manchester

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £60, vans £10 (est)

Cost per day for taxis: £7.50 (est)

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £0

Oxford

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £2, £4 or £10

Cost per day for taxis: £2, £4 or £10

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £2, £4 or £10

Dundee

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £60

Cost per day for taxis: Unknown

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £60

Edinburgh

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £60

Cost per day for taxis: Unknown

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £60

Aberdeen

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £60

Cost per day for taxis: Unknown

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £60

Newcastle

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £50 (est)

Cost per day for taxis: £12.50, vans also £12.50 (est)

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £0

Sheffield

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £50 (est)

Cost per day for taxis: £10, vans and lorries also £10 (est)

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £0

Bradford –

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £50 (est)

Cost per day for taxis: £12.50 (LGVs and minibuses £9) (est)

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £0

Bristol –

Cost per day for HGVs, buses and coaches: £100

Cost per day for taxis: £9

Cost per day for regular passenger cars: £9

Which vehicles are exempt?

There are some vehicles which are exempt from the charge, some of these exemptions are national and others are based locally.

National exemptions include:

  • a vehicle that’s ultra low emission
  • a disabled passenger tax class vehicle
  • a disabled tax class vehicle
  • a military vehicle
  • a historic vehicle
  • a vehicle retrofitted with technology accredited by the Clean Vehicle Retrofit Accreditation Scheme (CVRAS)
  • certain types of agricultural vehicles

You can check with your local authorities to find out more exemption rules near you

 

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Hints & Tips, News

In early April we saw the launch of the Recovery Loan Scheme, designed to financially support UK businesses in accessing asset finance, aiding recovery and growth in the midst of the pandemic. There’s still plenty of time to take advantage of the scheme, which will be running till December, subject to review.

 

Providing it’s for legitimate business purposes, the loan can be used for a range of growth enhancing reasons, from supporting cashflow to investment or finance.

 

How does the RLS work?

 

It works by allowing businesses to access products with better terms from lenders, without the need for a Government backed guarantee.

 

The minimum funding for an asset finance that can be applied for per business is £1000, with the maximum at £10M. This is of particular interest for CAVA Finance’s clients as one of the types of funding available is Asset Finance.

 

The scheme is available for Start Ups, Sole Traders Limited Partnerships, CICs and LLPs. However, there may be more suitable loans available outside of the RLS for certain types of businesses.

 

Does my business Qualify?

 

The eligibility criteria for the scheme is briefly outlined below, with further eligibility checks, such as a credit check, carried out by lenders;

 

  • Have a viable business proposition – lender’s will use their discretion surrounding recent business performance given the impact that Covid-19 has had on businesses and cashflow
  • Must be trading in the UK and generate more than 50% of it’s turnover from UK trading activity
  • Be able to confirm that your company has been impacted by Covid-19

 

How can CAVA Finance help?

 

 

CAVA Finance has longstanding relationships with a range of competitive funders and can assist in providing the Recovery Loan Scheme.

 

Even if you’ve taken advantage of the previous Government loan schemes on offer last year to support businesses during the pandemic, such as the CBILS, BBLS or CLBILS grants, you are still able to apply for the RLS, providing you meet the required criteria.

 

It’s important to note however, that contrary to the previous loan schemes mentioned above, the Government will not pay the interest for the first 12 months of the RLS. Interest rates are lender dependant and subject to credit status of the applicant.

 

The loan can be used for any legitimate business purpose, which includes purchasing necessary equipment, assets or vehicles, hiring staff or managing cashflow.

 

You may also find that your lender is able to offer a better rate and more favourable terms under a different product, which they will offer you if eligible.

 

If you have any queries relating to the RLS or any other topics around future finance for vehicles or assets, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, CAVA Finance has and will continue to remain fully operational during the pandemic.

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Hints & Tips, News

The demand for motorhome holidays is on the rise as the travel industry recovers from the impact of Covid 19. The travel and tourism sector was and still is, one of the hardest hit by the impact of the global pandemic. With flights grounded, hotels closed and holidaymakers frustrated over last minute cancellations and late refunds, it’s been a difficult few months. 

However, there are attempts to revive the industry and over the last few months there has been an increase of 4.5% of deals from travel operators across the global travel sector, in a bid to encourage bookings.

Jumping on a plane might be the last thing on your mind right (unless you’re one of these people!) now which is why, unsurprisingly the UK has seen a huge boom in those opting to holiday in the UK.


Staycation Nation

The staycation trend has created a surge in the demand for motorhomes and campervans, with people choosing to invest in a safer way to get away.

Foreign travel remains uncertain, with travel corridors, restrictions and quarantine rules changing regularly. This has caused an increase in Brits option to book a getaway closer to home.

We’ve seen huge increase in both enquiries and finance agreements for motorhomes over the past few months and so wanted to highlight that this is an area which CAVA Finance can certainly assist with. We’re also saddened to see buyers being scammed by fake adverts from fraudsters which is why its always best to discuss your requirements with a professional.

Motorhome and campervan dealerships reopened to the public on the 1st of June and since then dealerships have reported a surge in demand for leisure vehicles. This offers some sense of relief to both manufacturers and dealers, after losing out on sales during what would usually be their busiest period in March and April.

According to Car Dealer, VW have reported a 250% increase in quotes for one of their most popular models, whilst Autotrader discovered that 40% of those surveyed were planning a 2020 staycation. They have suggested that caravan holidays will match hotel stays during 2020.

If you’re looking to secure a motorhome or campervan, be aware that dealerships and manufacturers are experiencing high demand and as such stock may be limited due to delays around manufacturing but we can work with you to either assist in your search or secure finance for a motorhome which you have sourced.


New Models of Motorhome

Dealerships will be looking to introduce new models during September so there is an opportunity to seek finance on older or used models, with the potential to make a saving.

If you’re reluctant to venture abroad and are looking to invest in a way to escape, then a motorhome could be the perfect solution. A survey from MBH Corporation has found that a large percentage of people were opting for a motorhome or caravan holiday to avoid either flying or staying in a hotel during the pandemic, as they’d prefer to have their own space.

How often would you usually go away and how much would you typically spend on holidays in a year?

Perhaps a motorhome a more sensible option for future holidays given the uncertainty of future foreign travel, allowing easy and frequent getaways, more freedom, and the chance to rediscover the beauty of UK destinations.

If you would like any more detail or would like to discuss your requirements for a motorhome or campervan call Mike on 0161 222 9599 or contact us here.

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Coach, Hints & Tips, News

Back in April, the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) were due to implement new motor finance rules in their final ruling. However, in the midst of the pandemic, these rules have been delayed till around October this year.

The new rulings relate primarily to the relationship between dealerships and finance bodies and aims to give customers more clarity, allowing them to make more informed decisions regarding their vehicle purchases.

Like many other industries across the country, business in the car finance arena has suffered, dropping by around 94% according to the FLA. This is in stark contrast to figures from 2018 which saw the motor finance industry in the UK reach £64Bn, resulting in it being the third largest lending sector.

FCA Announcements

The FCA recently announced proposals to continue to support those with motor finance agreements. You may recall that we provided some information around ‘payment holidays’ right at the start of lockdown, if you’ve not yet requested a freeze and would like to, the deadline to apply has now been extended to 31st of October 2020.

9 out of 10 new vehicles are funded by some variation of a finance plan in the UK, meaning many across the country may be struggling when we take into consideration the impact of furlough or redundancies, this is what has spurred on these temporary measures being announced, to support motor finance customers.

There have been some positives in the last month or so, despite online vehicle sales increasing during lockdown, with the re-opening of dealerships, the used car market managed to wiggle back to pre-lockdown levels last month, with growth of 13.3%.

How will this impact vehicle values?

Vehicle values have also remained reasonably stable throughout lockdown which will benefit those in PCP agreements or those looking to change vehicle at the end of their finance agreement.

Some interesting factors to consider around the growth of the industry in the coming months focuses on the public’s view of using public transport. Will we see a decline in rail and bus travel as people opt to travel by car?

Boosting the Motor Finance Industry

The Government also recently announced a £73.5million fund to boost ‘green economic recovery in the automotive sector’.

This will benefit a range of vehicles from personal cars to taxis and vans, with funding being used to research and develop cutting edge technology and recyclable batteries, which can cut carbon emissions. Low emission cars and commercial vehicles will be manufactured in greater volumes with the contribution of this funding.

In addition to helping the UK stay on track with its pledge to be emission free by 2050, the funding will see 14,000 research and manufacturing jobs protected, boosting the economy.

We’ve been delighted to have seen several customers grow and expand their fleet with new commercial vehicles during the pandemic and CAVA is confident that we’ll continue to see resilience from the industry in the coming months.

We’ll keep you updated with any major changes but in the meantime if you require any impartial, no obligation advice, or if you’re considering your options but don’t know where to start, please get in touch. You can call Mike on 0161 222 9599 or use our contact form and he’ll be happy to discuss your needs.

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Hints & Tips, News

After going live last Monday, the new Government backed Bounce Back loan has proven to be a welcome short-term solution for many UK businesses.

More than 130,000 applications were submitted in the first day with nearly 70,000 Bounce Back loans worth £2bn approved during the first 24 hours.

Whilst this isn’t an area of finance that CAVA can access on your behalf, we are still committed to sharing vital information with our clients that may help them to survive during this time.


What does this loan involve?

Up till now, the Government hadn’t offered support to smaller businesses yet had offered assistance via the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) which you can read more about here.

The Bounce Back Loan is aimed at companies looking to borrow less, allowing up to £50,000 (capped at 25% of annual turnover) with an interest rate of 2.5%. Just like the CBILS, the interest will be paid by the government for the first year and applicants have 6 years to repay.

The loan is available through a range of accredited lenders and partners and is backed by the British Business Bank as part of Government support for UK businesses and employees. When looking into this for your business, please be aware that it is not available through all banks.

Unlike CBILS, the minimum loan is a lot less, so if your cashflow has been disrupted as a result of Covid19, but you didn’t qualify for CIBLS, this may be a more suitable option to help support your business through this uncertain time.


Key Points

– Short application form which checks eligibility

– Borrow between £2000 – £50,000

– Borrowing is capped at 25% of business turnover

– Six-year terms

– 100% Government backed guarantee against capita repayments and interest for the first 12 months

– No fees for the first 12 months

– Interest rate set at 2.5% p/a

– Early repayment is allowed with no early repayment fees

– You will not be required to take a personal guarantee (such as your home or vehicle)

 

How do you apply?

Firstly you should approach a lender, you can view available accredited lenders here across the UK. You should start with your existing bank and an apply via their website. Of course, more lenders may be added to the list in the coming days and weeks.

There are of course certain criteria your business must meet to be eligible and if you are your application will be subject to standard checks.

Be aware that since this scheme has been announced, a high volume of people are making applications which could mean lenders websites or phone lines may be busier than usual, expect delays and be patient.

As with all announcements currently, there will likely be further information announced around the loans in the coming days and we will update this article accordingly.

You can view the FAQs on the British Business Bank website. If you have any other queries relating to topics around future finance for vehicles or assets, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, CAVA Finance remains fully operational and here to help!

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Assets, Contact Mike, Hints & Tips, News

As a business owner you’re likely keeping your ear to the ground surrounding the available support to help you and your company survive during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The government have announced details of the CBILS which is a new scheme which facilitates a range of Business Finance products. These are available to small businesses across the UK who are experiencing a loss of revenue and as a result have had their cashflow impacted by Coronavirus.

The scheme allows banks and lenders with a Government backed guarantee, which allows these companies to provide Asset Finance in order to support businesses who are looking to invest in new or used assets.

Without the scheme it would be difficult for companies to raise the finance required at this time, due to the impact on their cashflow. The lenders will be able to accommodate funding for Asset Finance between £50K and £250K.

To briefly summarise the main areas of criteria are;

  • You must be a UK based business
  • The application is for business purposes, not for private individuals
  • You are not able to re-finance a product already on a finance agreement


There are other certain eligibility and criteria you should be aware of, I’ll be happy to discuss these with you and provide further details should you be looking to take advantage of the CBILS.

The scheme is managed by the British Bank and allows access to a range of business finance products through selected funders.

For further information and to discuss applying for the scheme, contact Mike on 0161 222 9599.

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Hints & Tips, News

I’ve been lucky enough to be able to work from home since 1997. Yes, you read that correctly! For over 20 years I’ve been perfecting productivity from my home office and now that we are all in the same boat, I wanted to share my advice for getting your head down staying motivated during these difficult times.

When I first started to work from home it was initially part time, with some office-based days and the flexibility to work from home for the remaining days of the week.

Systems back then were unsophisticated by today’s standards, we’re lucky that today there are plenty of tools available now which can make remote working as effective as being in the office. Here’s some of the systems and tools that myself and my team use regularly.

 

CRM System

Investing in a decent CRM system took time but about 5 years ago I migrated from an out-dated system and moved to ActiveCampaign. It combines email marketing, automation and a sales pipeline all under one roof.

One thing I’d advise you to research whilst we’re in lockdown is to perform a data cleanse. Look at your LinkedIn contacts, your email contacts and get organised. If you’re still using a spreadsheet then now may be a good time to look into options for making the most of your data.

Another useful and free (up to a point) CRM tool is Capsule. There’s no time like the present to perfect your customer relationships and a decent CRM tool will help.

Social Media & Marketing

You might have noticed a few companies going quiet on social media at the minute. It can be difficult to know how to effectively market yourself at a time when business may have in fact stopped altogether. However, right now, it’s important to stay in front of your existing customers and maintain those relationships. It’s also a good time to position yourself as an expert in front of your target market.

Perhaps in the past you’ve not had time to focus on social media? Now is a great time to learn more and try some scheduling tools such as Buffer or Hootsuite to automate posting and get yourself ahead.

Communication


If you know me then you’ll know how much I value getting to know my clients, customers and referrers. I pride myself on building long standing relationships and that’s only too evident in the brilliant testimonials which CAVA receives.

Despite always trying to meet face to face where possible, there are some clients that I’ve worked with for a long time but have never had the chance to meet in person. One tool which I find useful as an alternative to a phone call or a face to face meeting is Zoom. It’s similar to Skype and very easy to use to hold virtual meetings.


Research


With some companies needing to cease trading for the time being, usual day to day tasks are off the to do list. But this time can be utilised to research and understand your target market. If you have visited our website before, you’ll be aware that I regularly receive testimonials and have a client of the month feature. Finding out what your audience thinks about your company is very valuable. Perform a ‘net promoter score’ or a customer satisfaction survey to arm yourself with some statistics and areas to focus on for improvement for the future. I’ve used Survey Planet or Typeform in the past.

Working from home doesn’t have to be difficult or unproductive. Use this opportunity to plan for the future and look forward to a brighter time. In the meantime, learn some new skills, become more organised and your business will be in an even better position than it was before we entered this situation when we come out the other side.

If you’ve got any queries on the systems and tools mentioned please give me a call on 0161 222 9599 or get in touch here.

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Assets, Coach, Commercial, Hints & Tips, Minibus/Coach Finance, News

One of the questions I’ve been asked a lot by clients over the last few weeks has been surrounding payment options for the vehicle or asset they have on finance.


With many businesses impacted, from coach companies who can longer operate the school run to maintenance companies whose equipment cannot be used until restrictions are lifted, keeping up monthly payments is an area of concern.

If we’ve already spoken, then you will be aware that the finance companies are treating this situation with sympathy and have been very accommodating to those who are looking for a solution.

What are the options around my payments?

Many finance companies are offering our customers the option to either defer or reduce payments. You may have seen the defer option referred to as a ‘payment holiday’.

How does this work?

As an example, if you have a 24-month contract in place that had just started this month and were offered 3 months of deferred payments from now, you would be left with 21 months.

Rather than your contract ending in April 2022, it would end in July 2022. The ‘holiday’ means the unpaid months are added to the end of your agreement.

What do I need to be aware of?

You need to be aware that finance companies are treating every case on an individual basis and will be assessing business disruption based upon your own circumstances. Incremental interest may also be added.

The main thing to consider right now is the future of your company. Taking a holiday from payments may seem like a good idea now but if you can continue to pay, perhaps at a reduced rate, would that be more appropriate? Again, this is entirely dependent on individual circumstances and cashflow.

Another factor to consider is to diversify your market. Now you may have more time to be able to focus on planning for the future, are there other avenues you could consider, or industries you could service to help you spread the risk and avoid focusing on one sole source of income?

It is great to have a niche but in when we’re faced with a situation like the one we find ourselves in, it is safer to have a range of customers and suppliers rather than rely on one for all your revenue, because if something happens to them, it impacts you much more.

With many clients contacting their finance provider at this time, be aware that you will face delays and that on average they’re taking around 10 days to look at individual cases with such a high volume of enquiries to assess.

If you need to discuss payment options, please don’t hesitate to contact me initially for some further advice on the above if this would be useful for you and then you may be in a better position to discuss with the finance provider.

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Contact Mike, Hints & Tips, Minibus/Coach Finance, News
Globally we are facing a time of great uncertainty, the impacts of which are being felt across all industries.


In view of these unprecedented circumstances, we wanted to reassure our clients that our funders will work with our you to take your individual circumstances into consideration, if your business has been impacted by the Coronavirus.


From the shutting down of vehicle manufacturing factories to the impact closer to home for coach, minibus and taxi operators, the automotive industry is facing economic shockwaves caused by the reaction to the virus.


This is a particularly tough time for those who rely on customers travelling, with self-isolation or even mass quarantines being introduced, taxi and coach operators are seeing a loss of bookings, with staff being prevented from travelling or customers putting holiday plans on hold.


As mentioned above, funders are treating each case individually but may be able to assist with ‘finance holidays’ to ease the financial strain of a loss of custom during this time.


I will be offering free advice to clients with concerns or difficulties. If you would benefit from this, you should contact me here and we can discuss in more detail.


Similarly, if you have any specific queries relating to your contracts or future vehicle and asset purchasing needs, which you feel may be impacted by Coronavirus, please let me know.


Please get in touch with me should you need any more information.
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Hints & Tips

Choosing the right vehicle can be a tough decision for your business. There’s a lot of factors to consider depending on your trade but what can be even more difficult is deciding how best to approach the purchase.

Do you opt for finance? How will this impact your cashflow? Is it a good investment? When it comes to finance options for both vehicles or assets for your business, there are several options for you to choose from.

CAVA has many years of experience in helping both established businesses and new starts navigate the minefield of business finance. Over the years we’ve developed trusted relationships with a range of dealers and finance providers, allowing us to access the most competitive deals available to our clients.

Once you’ve decided on your vehicle or have a specification in mind, you can speak with us and we can introduce you to the dealers we work most frequently with, or perhaps you’ve already sourced your vehicle. In which case, it’s time to discuss the basics.

What you’ll need to tell us;

– Budget

– Repayment terms

– Is it a new vehicle or a used vehicle?

– Full UK/EU driving licence

We’re going to focus on using a Hire Purchase as this is commonly used by businesses looking for a new vehicle or asset on finance. Hire Purchase refers to a credit agreement which is used to purchase a new vehicle or asset, whether that’s a taxi, coach, minibus or commercial vehicle or a piece of equipment or machinery. 


You’ll enter into a fixed term agreement, whereby you’ll pay an initial deposit, then monthly payments over a pre-determined length of time.  The payments are fixed, even if interest rates fluctuate. However, you do have the option to pay in full prior to the end of the agreement.  So, why would this be a suitable option for you?

 

Pros

– The customer gets outright ownership of the goods at the end of the contract

– Ability to spread the cost over pre-arranged period

– Nominal deposit required for cars generally or a VAT deposit required for commercial vehicles and assets

– Allows the customer to opt for a higher specification of vehicle or asset than they may be able to afford outright

– Fixed monthly costs

– No large final payment

– No mileage restrictions

Cons

– A larger deposit may be required (depending on customer credit status)

– The finance company legally owns the vehicle until the final payment has been made on the agreement

– Interest rates may depend on the credit status of the client


There you have it, a quick guide to the options available to you when considering your next vehicle or asset purchase.  If you’d like any further information on the options above or need some advice around what might be most suitable for you then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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