Tillymints

Tillymints 

Supporting Growth from Start-Up to Property Ownership

In October 2022 Kevin and Ruth Lancaster were presented with the chance to acquire Tillymints, an existing day nursery business in the Liverpool City Region.

They needed £50,000 to complete the purchase, but as a low value share acquisition, traditional high street lenders were reluctant to help. Time was ticking, and without the right funding in place, this opportunity could slip away.

How We Helped

Phase 1:

When we first met, we quickly assessed their situation and made an initial referral to NatWest. Unfortunately, the low value nature of the share purchase meant NatWest couldn’t assist.

We immediately connected them with the Start Up Loans programme, and thanks to our established relationships, we were able to fast track their application. Within just four days, the loans were approved – allowing them to complete the business acquisition in December 2022

Phase 2: Taking the Next Step

Fast forward to mid 2025, and they were back in touch with another exciting opportunity – this time to purchase the day nursery premises. Remembering how we’d supported them first time around, we were their first port of call.

Although they were now banking with Starling, they didn’t have a dedicated Relationship Manager. We quickly stepped in, connecting them with a trusted local contact who could properly assess and support their application. The loan was approved by credit and successfully drawn down in early December 2025 allowing for the successful purchase of the property.

The Impact

This journey highlights the value of having a trusted finance partner in your corner. When time was of the essence, we were able to move quickly and find the right solution within just four days. Three years later, when the next opportunity came along, we were able to help again – connecting them with the right people through our local network. It’s been rewarding to support their growth from that initial acquisition right through to owning their own premises, and we’re excited to see what comes next for this thriving day nursery.

George Wright LCR Finance Hub Manager Lead said:

“This is exactly why the Finance Hub exists – to make sure brilliant opportunities don’t get missed because of funding challenges. When we first met in 2022, time was critical and the traditional routes weren’t working, so we moved quickly to find the right solution. What’s really rewarding is seeing them come back to us three years later, ready to take that next step and purchase the premises. It shows the importance of building genuine relationships with local businesses and being there to support them at every stage of their growth journey. We’re delighted to have played a part in their success and can’t wait to see this day nursery continue to thrive.”

Kevin Lancaster Director of Tillymints Nursery Limited said:

“The Finance Hub have supported us in every major step of our journey. George took a genuine interest in us and our business. Without their support, I’m not sure we would have got off the ground. Getting the right finial support and advice is vital to the success of any business, particularly when first starting out. The strong financial position we started from has enabled us to grow the business, and now we have purchased the premises, we will be looking to further expand soon. I know we will be able to rely on the support of the LRC Finance Hub as we continue to grow.”