Wed 16th Oct 2013 - Breaking News - NatWest adds £150m to leisure lending pot NatWest adds £150 million to leisure lending pot: NatWest and RBS have added a further £150 million to their dedicated Leisure Fund after receiving “incredible” demand from across the industry. The Leisure Fund has now been extended to £300 million and continues to be made available to SME leisure businesses across the UK to encourage reinvestment and growth. The additional cash comes after the bank has already allocated all of the £150 million originally pledged since its launch at the end of May. Andrew Taylor, head of leisure for commercial banking at NatWest and RBS, said: “From day one this fund has attracted incredible interest. We listened to the needs of our leisure customers and designed the fund specifically to support the needs of this particular industry. Its success so far proves the real desire for investment and growth and we are dedicated to continuing our support of leisure businesses. The fund has now been running for 20 weeks and we have agreed over 250 loans totalling some £160 million. Given lending in the equivalent 20 weeks of 2012 was around £60 million this is an incredible step forward which proves that confidence is returning and that NatWest really is supporting SME clients across hotel, restaurant and pub businesses. It is also really encouraging that the funding has not just gone to a handful of large businesses, but to a wide range of clients around the country totalling over 260 loans.” Hotels have generated the largest demand for the fund so far, borrowing around £90 million, followed by restaurants and pubs. Regionally, the south west has seen the most interest with around £49.9 million, followed by the Midlands and south east of England with £37.4 million, the north with £29.7 million, London and south east with £35.4 million and Scotland with £10.1 million. Taylor added: “Generating around £97 billion of GDP and around 2.2 million jobs, the industry is vital for the UK economy and we are dedicated to supporting leisure businesses across the UK. Our specially trained Leisure Relationship Managers work closely with businesses to ensure we can provide the correct support.” Minister for Tourism Helen Grant said: “The tourism sector has a major part to play in our economic growth strategy, as it supports local jobs and businesses across the country. It is great to see such positive take-up from the NatWest and RBS Leisure Fund and a further £150 million being added with many hotels looking to benefit and drive growth. I hope the scheme continues to go from strength to strength.” National tourism body VisitEngland were closely involved in the development of the Leisure Fund and are delighted with the response so far. VisitEngland’s chief executive James Berresford said: “It is great to see that leisure businesses across the country are taking advantage of this opportunity. We worked closely with NatWest and RBS on the creation of the fund. It is vital that our tourism businesses have the opportunity to invest in their products if the industry is to thrive and grow. The positive take up of the fund so far demonstrates the industry is hungry to invest and I am delighted that NatWest and RBS has taken such steps to help support the leisure industry.”