£2.4m boost for Northern Ireland businesses as 57 SMEs secure funding to expand, recruit and invest
Pictured (L-R) are: Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer, Invest Northern Ireland, Conor Jackson, Managing Director, Jacksons Catering Equipment and Joni Harding, Managing Director, The Leisure Experts.
Thursday 08 October 2026
Fifty-seven small and medium-sized businesses across Northern Ireland have secured more than £2.4 million in loans to help them expand, develop new products, recruit staff and strengthen their finances.
The funding, provided through Invest Northern Ireland’s Small Business Loan Fund III, is helping businesses meet the costs of growth, from purchasing additional stock to investing in equipment and delivering new services.
Launched in May 2025, the scheme offers flexible finance to eligible SMEs seeking investment to develop their operations, with businesses across different sectors and locations already benefiting.
Finance supporting business expansion
One of the companies to receive support is Jacksons Catering Equipment, based in Derry~Londonderry, which has secured a £50,000 loan to expand its product range and increase stock holdings.
The company supplies commercial catering equipment to customers throughout Ireland and Great Britain, with the investment supporting a new distribution agreement for the NordStar range across Ireland.
Conor Jackson, Managing Director of Jacksons Catering Equipment, said:
“The funding has enabled us to strengthen our stock position and support the next phase of our development. Having access to flexible finance means we can respond confidently to customer demand and continue to grow across Ireland.”
The investment illustrates how access to finance can help smaller businesses take on new commercial opportunities while managing the additional costs that come with expansion.
Investment in jobs and community wellbeing
In Newry, The Leisure Experts has received a £20,000 loan to support new swimming pool partnerships, helping the company meet upfront costs for staffing, equipment and programme delivery.
The funding is enabling the business to invest in the resources needed to establish new partnerships and extend its health and wellbeing activities into more communities.
Joni Harding, Company Director at The Leisure Experts, said:
“Every new pool or gym partnership is a chance to help more people across Northern Ireland feel healthier, more confident and more connected. Getting there takes investment in our people, equipment and programmes from the outset. This loan has helped The Leisure Experts take those steps and bring more opportunities for wellbeing into local communities."
Access to finance for smaller businesses
The NI Small Business Loan Fund III forms part of Invest NI’s wider Access to Finance programme, which aims to help businesses obtain funding to support development and growth.
For smaller firms, securing finance can be particularly important when expansion requires investment before additional sales or income are generated. Loans can help bridge that gap, allowing businesses to purchase stock, recruit employees or invest in new opportunities while managing their cashflow.
Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer at Invest NI, highlighted the importance of providing financial support when businesses are ready to develop.
She said:
"For many smaller businesses, access to the right finance at the right time can be the difference between standing still and moving forward. We're seeing businesses across Northern Ireland use the fund to invest with confidence and unlock new opportunities.
"Jacksons Catering Equipment is a great example of this, using the funding to strengthen its stock holding and support a new distribution agreement that will help the company continue to build its business.
"It's encouraging to see businesses from different sectors and locations using the fund to accelerate their plans and build for the future."
Supporting growth across Northern Ireland
Invest NI provides business development support across Northern Ireland, with regional offices in Belfast, Craigavon, Londonderry, Newry and Omagh, alongside an international office network.
Its work focuses on helping businesses become more competitive, develop innovative products and services, and pursue opportunities in markets beyond Northern Ireland.
With more than £2.4 million approved since the fund opened in May 2025, the latest figures demonstrate the demand among smaller businesses for finance to support their ambitions.
For the 57 businesses approved for loans, the immediate benefit is access to funding that can help turn expansion plans into investment, new commercial opportunities and potentially additional employment.
