ART (Aston Reinvestment Trust)

ART is an independent loan provider that lends to small businesses and social enterprises in Birmingham and North Solihull that have been unable to secure finance from other sources.

The enterprise was established in 1997 with an objective to raise funds, lend them succesfully and obtain repayment to enable recycling of the funds. ART helps potentially viable businesses that otherwise could not grow and it preserves and generates jobs for local people, particularly those in under-represented groups and disadvantaged areas. These actions help ART to achieve its mission - the relief of poverty through enterprise - uniting social purpose and economic gain. Since it started, ART has lent £4.7m to 250 borrowers enabling it to preserve and create over 2,000 jobs.

ART's portfolio of borrowers includes limited companies, partnerships, sole traders and registered charities and it has supported both innovative start-ups and established enterprises in a range of sectors including manufacturing, retail, care and education. Borrowers include:

To deliver a premium service to its borrowers, ART works in partnership with the business support network, professionals and banks in the Birmingham area, often packaging finance from itself with other sources. Its loan fund, which offers loans between £2,000 and £50,000, is derived from investments made by companies and individuals in addition to public and private sector support.

As well as providing finance, ART also shares its experience with others in the sector, both in the UK and around the world, and contributes to local and national UK government policy on access to finance for enterprise. ART was also one of the first Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) to be set up in the UK and its model is now being replicated in many other regions.

Click here to download the ART case study (180KB)