Iran war pushing up cost of borrowing for Midlands small businesses - clail

The ongoing war in Iran which is pushing up the cost of borrowing for Midlands’ SMEs may be the final nail in the coffin for some firms, according to a sector specialist.

Mark Barrie (pictured), head of Debt Advisory at UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets, believes the war, which began in February, is likely to prompt unexpected interest rates rises which will also curb investment.

He said: “It is a tough time for SME businesses what with this and the knock-on effects of all the other pressures they are currently facing adding up to a big squeeze on margins and it could well lead to casualties..

“I speak to business owners every day of the week – with sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, haulage, hospitality and construction particularly affected – and there is a general feeling of uncertainty.”

Azets - a specialist business advisor to SMEs - has offices across the Midlands in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Tamworth, Coventry, Nottingham and Shrewsbury.

Mark said prior to the war it was believed Bank of England (BoE) base rate reductions would have been scheduled for 2026 with the rate likely to have been around 3 per cent by the end of the year or the start of 2027.

He adds: “Not only has that been put on hold, but most economists and commentators are suggesting that there may be one or two hikes the other way from the current rate which has been held at 3.75 per cent since January.

“Therefore, many people either planning or considering whether to take finance would have believed the cost of borrowing to be coming down. It is not surprising that there is a reduced appetite for debt which matches the fewer lending options being available.

“The worst case scenario now is that we are going to see some casualties, some businesses which will be seen in the insolvency and administration numbers.

“Some just think that loading additional debt – to take on new projects or new staff or for marketing or whatever else – is the answer out of this, but some of them just can’t afford the debt they are acquiring and this will be the final nail in the coffin.

“Others will argue that if they do not do it the business is finished anyway so it’s one last throw of the dice, but some shouldn’t be rolling the dice – they should be calling it a day or streamlining the business.”

Mark, who has a wealth of experience helping those businesses in distress and those experiencing trading difficulties, said one positive aspect was that many of the post-Covid loans SMEs took out – generally on six-year terms – would be running off now, which was good news is that there would be reduced loan repayments to find.

But he warned: “However, if they are looking to now secure new finance it will be more expensive that previously because base rate was 0.1 per cent or 0.5 per cent and it’s now 3.75 per cent.

“This will make SMEs think deeper and longer before they make the leap with investment – some will put it off, some will do less, some will not do it at all.”

Mark added that increased funding costs would be added to the myriad other pressures currently being faced by SMEs – including rapid rises in fuel costs, increased employer National Insurance contributions, new business rates, pension contributions, minimum wage increases, higher energy costs, supply chain issues and continuing cautious consumer spending.

“Anyone in textiles or manufacturing or whose goods go through the Strait of Hormuz are also being hit by delays and container prices have gone up – which is what we saw post-Covid – and the cost of air freight has increased as well.

“Also, the high cost of fuel in the UK is affecting, particularly, logistics and haulage companies and also anyone who relies on those sectors to get their supplies or their product moving.”