Wolverhampton lender reaches £13m milestone helping small businesses grow
The community lender has backed 154 businesses with £13 million in funding, supporting growth and safeguarding jobs
Community lender BCRS Business Loans has completed lending £13 million through the Community Investment Enterprise Fund (CIEF), supporting over 150 businesses across the West Midlands and Wales. Wolverhampton-based BCRS has now generated more than £67 million in economic impact, with over £10 million directed to SMEs.
Since March 2024, BCRS has provided CIEF loans ranging from £25,000 to £250,000 to help small businesses with growth and recovery. The total economic impact is broken down into £57 million benefiting the West Midlands and £10 million supporting Wales.
In the West Midlands, 131 businesses received £11.1 million, resulting in 330 new jobs and safeguarding 1,206 roles. In Wales, £1.9 million was lent to 23 businesses, creating 117 jobs and safeguarding 264 more. Among the 154 businesses supported, 25% of lending went to female-led businesses and 28% to ethnic minority-led businesses.
The £62 million CIEF is funded by Lloyds, Better Society Capital, and three community development finance institutions (CDFIs): BCRS Business Loans, Business Enterprise Fund, and Finance for Enterprise. CIEF is managed by Social Investment Scotland (SIS). BCRS chief executive Stephen Deakin said the fund has positively impacted many businesses in a short period, and the team is proud to have supported their growth.
One business to benefit was Birmingham-based Lumberjaxe, which secured £100,000 to fulfil a major contract with Aldi. Founded in 2020 by brothers Brendon and Jaydon Manders with just £100 each, Lumberjaxe produces preservative-free seasonings and sauces. The funding enabled them to supply 80,000 units to 1,050 Aldi stores. The brothers previously secured a £90,000 investment on BBC One’s Dragons’ Den in February 2025, after which the brand went viral on social media.
Jaydon Manders said BCRS Business Loans gave them the opportunity to take their business to the next level and fulfil their first major supermarket contract. Chris Jamieson of Social Investment Scotland and Victoria Crisp of Better Society Capital highlighted the impact of CIEF and BCRS in supporting businesses often overlooked by mainstream finance.
Since 2002, BCRS has provided over £100 million in loans, supporting businesses and jobs across the West Midlands and Wales.