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A company whose northern head office is based in Newry is among 57 small and medium-sized businesses in the north to secure funding from the NI Small Business Loan Fund III. The Leisure Experts has received a £20,000 loan, while the fund has approved loans worth more than £2.4 million in total.
The company is using the money to support the delivery of new swimming pool partnerships. The funding is helping the business manage the upfront costs associated with growth, including staffing, equipment and programme delivery.
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."
The fund is part of Invest Northern Ireland's Access to Finance programme and provides loans to SMEs seeking flexible finance to support business development. Since launching in May 2025, it has approved loans to businesses in a range of sectors and locations. The money is helping them invest in new products, recruit staff, strengthen cashflow and scale their operations.
Kathryn Hill, Chief Operating Officer at Invest NI, 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."
