From Universal Credit to Six Venues: The Longbow Success Story
Most founders would have quit.
Rob Hattersley launched his first business, The Maynard, 6 years ago. He sold his house, left his job, and poured everything into a vision of hospitality that prioritised people over pure profit.
42 days later, the country went into lockdown.
The doors were forced shut before the business had truly begun. Within 6 weeks, Rob went from launching a dream to navigating Universal Credit just to keep the lights on.
It is a stark reminder of the fragility of SME growth. But it is also a story of resilience. Today, Longbow Venues is not just surviving; it is a thriving hospitality group with 5 successful locations across the Peak District and a sixth on the way.
This is how they did it, and how the right funding partner helped turn a crisis into a scaling success story.
The Post-Lockdown Growth Paradox
When the world reopened, the Peak District saw a surge in visitors. The demand was there. The Maynard began to thrive.
Naturally, Rob wanted to scale. But the wider economic narrative stood in his way. Headlines warned that eight pubs were closing every week. Traditional lenders, spooked by the statistics, retreated. They saw "hospitality" as a high-risk category rather than looking at the specific performance of Rob’s business.
This is a common reality for UK SMEs, who currently face an estimated £22bn funding gap. Profitable, viable businesses are often denied capital because they don't fit the rigid boxes of traditional banks.
Longbow Venues needed capital to grow, but they needed it on terms that recognised the reality of their cash flow.
Funding That Flows With the Business
This is where Juice stepped in. We don't lend based on sector stereotypes; we lend based on data and potential.
Through our Smart Growth Capital™, we provided Longbow Venues with a flexible, revolving credit facility. This approach is explained in more depth in our revolving loan facility guide. Unlike a traditional term loan, which provides a lump sum and fixed repayments regardless of your trading cycle (more on that in our term loan vs revolving credit comparison), this facility allowed Rob to draw funds exactly when he needed them.
For a hospitality business, where cash flow fluctuates with the seasons, this flexibility is critical.
"The primary benefit has been complete flexibility," Rob explains. "You can take the money as and when you need it. You don’t really notice that you’re paying it back because it’s in small increments on a weekly basis."
This structure removed the "fear factor" of debt. Knowing the capital was available provided the comfort and confidence needed to commit to new sites and ambitious projects.
This is where Juice stepped in. We don't lend based on sector stereotypes; we lend based on data and potential, taking a working capital-first approach you can read about in our latest working capital guide.
Through our Smart Growth Capital™, we provided Longbow Venues with a flexible, revolving credit facility. Unlike a traditional term loan, which dumps a lump sum of cash (and interest) on a business all at once, this facility allowed Rob to draw funds exactly when he needed them.
For a hospitality business, where cash flow fluctuates with the seasons, this flexibility is critical.
"The primary benefit has been complete flexibility," Rob explains. "You can take the money as and when you need it. You don’t really notice that you’re paying it back because it’s in small increments on a weekly basis."
This structure removed the "fear factor" of debt. Knowing the capital was available provided the comfort and confidence needed to commit to new sites and ambitious projects.
Investing in People and Places
There are clear links between access to the right funding and the ability to build a lasting business. As covered in our e-commerce funding resources, flexible capital lets businesses back long-term culture as well as physical growth.
With the funding barrier removed, Longbow Venues accelerated.
The group has grown from that single, locked-down location into a portfolio of destination venues, including The George, The Ashford Arms, The Peacock at Owler Bar, and The Peacock at Rowsley.
Crucially, the funding didn't just buy bricks and mortar. It allowed Longbow to invest in its culture. Recruitment, training, and career development became central to their scaling strategy. They also launched bold customer initiatives, such as a loyalty programme that has already attracted 7,000 sign-ups.
This is the multiplier effect of flexible capital. When you aren't stressing about monthly loan repayments, you can invest in the intangible assets—like staff retention and brand loyalty—that actually drive long-term value.
The Next Chapter: The Charleston
Funding journeys like Longbow’s highlight why founders benefit from understanding the broader business lending landscape (more detail in our business loans for e-commerce guide and our responsible borrowing article).
Rob’s ambition hasn't slowed down. Later this year, Longbow will open its sixth venue, The Charleston in Bakewell. For any founder navigating similar cashflow challenges, practical strategies are covered in our guide to managing cashflow gaps and insights around funding payroll or late invoices can make these expansion steps more predictable.
The project involves transforming a former bank into a 160-seater, 1920s Art Deco-inspired brasserie. It is a significant step into a new format. It requires vision, courage, and a funding partner who understands the timeline of such a renovation.
For us at Juice, Longbow Venues is the perfect example of why we exist. We believe that when you give talented founders access to transparent, flexible funding, they don't just build businesses. They build livelihoods, careers, and community spaces.
If you have the vision to grow but find traditional lenders lacking, it might be time to look for a partner who funds the business, not the stereotype.
Check your eligibility in 2 minutes