Mayday Assistance: Flexible funding to support emergency care
71%
better visibility into payment timing
£1.2m
supplier invoices paid through Lenkie
59%
reduction in manual finance admin
”
We needed a partner who could help us move quickly when supplier costs came due. Lenkie gave us the confidence to keep growing without letting cashflow slow the team down.
Maya El-Sayed
Managing Director, MayDay
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Repay over 1-12 months
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Overview
Who is Roseground?
Roseground is a fast-growing hospitality group that supplies fresh ingredients and ready-made meals to independent cafés, offices, and events teams across London. As demand grew, so did the pressure on working capital: larger orders meant higher supplier costs long before customer payments arrived.
The finance team had strong demand and reliable customers, but traditional funding options were too slow or too rigid for the day-to-day realities of supplier purchasing. They needed a flexible way to pay invoices quickly without interrupting operations or taking focus away from customers.
The Problem
Growth created pressure on supplier payments
Seasonal peaks made purchasing unpredictable. The team often had to commit to larger stock orders before revenue had fully landed, leaving them to choose between delaying growth opportunities or negotiating with suppliers under pressure.
The process also created unnecessary admin: every payment decision needed manual review, cashflow forecasts changed daily, and the team lacked a single clear view of when invoices could be paid.
Keeping stock moving: the team reviews supplier orders on the shop floor.
The Solution
Turning to Lenkie
Lenkie gave Roseground a simple way to pay supplier invoices immediately and spread the cost over time. Instead of waiting for customers to pay, the finance team could keep purchasing moving, maintain supplier trust, and protect cash reserves for daily operations.
The setup was designed around the team’s existing workflow: invoices could be uploaded quickly, reviewed clearly, and paid without adding more complexity to month-end finance routines.
Implementation
01
Needs assessment and invoice workflow review — Lenkie mapped the team’s supplier purchasing cadence and repayment preferences.
02
Supplier payments went live — invoices were uploaded and settled directly, giving the team a clearer payment schedule.
03
Ongoing optimisation — repayment terms and purchasing patterns were reviewed so the facility continued matching business needs.
Results
More confidence, fewer payment bottlenecks
With Lenkie, Roseground could take on larger opportunities without slowing down procurement. The finance team gained clearer visibility over payment schedules, suppliers were paid faster, and operational conversations shifted from “can we afford this order?” to “how quickly can we fulfil it?”
The partnership also helped leadership plan ahead. By smoothing purchasing costs over predictable repayment windows, the team could invest in growth while keeping day-to-day working capital stable.
Planning the next phase of growth with cash flow no longer a blocker.
“It’s inspiring to support a team that knows exactly where growth is coming from. Lenkie simply removed the friction between demand and delivery.”
Sanjeev Jeyakumar
CEO, Lenkie
Takeaway
Roseground’s story shows how flexible supplier finance can unlock growth without forcing small businesses into rigid funding cycles. By pairing fast invoice payments with predictable repayment terms, Lenkie helped the team turn demand into momentum.
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Why a business line of credit is perfect for inventory financing
For product-based businesses - whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a wholesale operation, or a retail outlet - managing inventory is a constant balancing act. Too little stock and you miss out on sales. Too much, and you tie up precious cash. That’s where a business line of credit for inventory financing could be the perfect solution.
A flexible, accessible funding option, a business line of credit helps you buy stock when you need it - without the long-term commitment or inflexibility of a traditional business loan.
In this post, we’ll explore:
What is a business line of credit?
Why use it for inventory financing?
Who is it best for?
Line of credit vs traditional loans
How to use it effectively
How to qualify and apply
What is a business line of credit?
A business line of credit is a type of revolving finance. Think of it like a credit card, but designed for business needs. You’re approved for a certain limit - say, £50,000 - and can draw funds as needed, repay, and reuse.
Unlike a term loan (where you borrow a fixed sum and repay it over time), a line of credit gives you more flexibility to borrow and repay based on your business cash flow and needs.
Why use a line of credit for inventory financing?
Inventory is one of the biggest cash drains for product-based businesses. You often need to purchase stock weeks or months before it sells. And that lag between paying your supplier and receiving payment from customers creates a working capital gap.
Here’s where a business line of credit for inventory financing can make a major difference:
1. Buy inventory in bulk (and save)
Suppliers often offer discounts for bulk purchases. With access to a credit line, you can take advantage of those deals and boost your margins.
At Lenkie, some of our customers use our credit facility to effectively circulate stock multiple times before repayment is due.
E-commerce phone retailer Inc Tablet is a perfect example. The business has a highly in-demand product with a fast turnaround - so founder Adam Hamdoud has been shrewd in using his credit line:
“Using the facility on loop normally provides the most benefit since you get to consistently compound the inventory.
“Since starting with Lenkie, we were running at £400,000-£800,000 sales and we are now on par to reach £2.4m in sales.”
Read more about how our customers use Lenkie to supercharge revenue
2. Manage seasonality smoothly
If your business sees spikes around certain times of year, a credit line allows you to stock up in advance - without straining your cash flow.
3. Avoid running out of stock and missed sales
Running out of inventory during peak demand can be disastrous. A line of credit ensures you can replenish quickly and meet customer demand.
4. Improve cash flow predictability
Use credit to smooth cash gaps - especially if you’re growing fast or dealing with long payment terms from customers.
Who should consider this financing option?
A business line of credit for inventory financing works best for:
E-commerce brands scaling quickly and dealing with supply chain delays
Retailers preparing for peak seasons or new store launches
Wholesalers and distributors buying in bulk from overseas suppliers
Manufacturers needing raw materials upfront
Essentially though, any business that needs to buy stock before getting paid can benefit. And unfortunately long payment terms affect nearly every business.
How is it different from a traditional loan?
Feature | Business line of credit | Traditional business loan |
Flexibility | Draw as needed, repay and reuse | Lump sum with fixed term |
Interest/fees | Only pay for what you use | Interest on full amount |
Best for | Ongoing cash flow gaps | One-off large expenses |
Speed | Often quicker approval | Typically slower |
A business line of credit is more agile - which is ideal for the dynamic nature of inventory needs. At Lenkie, flexibility and optionality is a key part of our proposition, you only ever pay for what you use - there are no set up fees or monthly facility charges.
Tips for using your line of credit effectively
Getting approved for a facility is just step one. To make the most of your credit line:
✅ Plan purchases strategically
Use your credit for high-ROI inventory purchases - such as items with fast turnover or strong margins.
✅ Track stock and sales closely
Use inventory management tools to understand what’s selling, how fast, and when to reorder - so you don’t overextend.
✅ Repay promptly to reuse funds
The faster you repay, the sooner you can reuse the funds - especially helpful if your credit line has a limit that you’ll tap into regularly.
✅ Align with your marketing and sales plans
If you're launching a new product or running a promotion, a credit line can help fund inventory to meet expected demand.
Why inventory-backed businesses are turning to credit lines
Inventory financing used to mean inflexible loans or expensive short-term borrowing. But today, more UK business owners are turning to lines of credit for the right mix of control, speed, and scalability.
By using a line of credit to finance inventory, you keep your cash flowing, avoid missed sales, and stay agile in a changing market. And as your business grows, your limit can grow too.
How to qualify for a business line of credit
At Lenkie, you need to:
Be registered as a limited company
Have been trading at least 18 months
Have £1m+ annual revenue based on your latest filed accounts
We also need to look at your latest management accounts, your business bank statements and your credit score.
Our product is flexible though so it’s always worth applying. With a few quick details we can give you an instant pre-qualified offer, and if we can’t help we should be able to refer you to a lender who can.
Final thoughts
If your business relies on stock, a business line of credit could be the key to unlocking faster growth - without the growing pains.
Rather than waiting for cash to catch up with opportunity, you’ll have the flexibility to invest in inventory when it matters most.
We could help you access a facility of up to £1m in just 48 hours. Create a free account to get a pre-qualified limit in just 2 minutes with a few quick details.
