Handepay, part of the PayPoint Group, today announces a 31% year-on-year increase in funding delivered to small businesses between June 2025 and May 2026 across the Handepay and PayPoint estate. This highlights the growing role of fast, flexible finance in supporting SMEs through a challenging economic landscape.

The rise in funding comes as industry data shows SME demand for finance is reaching new highs. According to UK Finance, SME lending increased by 16% in Q1 2026, its highest level since the pandemic, underlining how businesses are increasingly turning to external funding to manage rising costs, invest in improvements and maintain resilience*.

Across the Handepay and PayPoint network, demand has been particularly strong among independent retailers and hospitality businesses, many of whom are navigating inflationary pressures, increased operating costs and ongoing economic uncertainty.

Delivered in partnership with YouLend, the funding solution enables independent businesses to access cash advances quickly, with repayments directly linked to card sales. This means businesses pay back more during busy periods and less when trading is quieter, giving owners built-in flexibility to manage cashflow through natural peaks and troughs while continuing to invest in growth.

Andrew Twentyman, Commercial Director at PayPoint, said: “We’re seeing first-hand how important access to fast, flexible funding has become for independent businesses. With ongoing cost pressures and uncertainty, many SMEs need support not just to grow, but to stay resilient day-to-day.

“Our partnership with YouLend is designed to remove barriers to finance, giving business owners a simple, accessible way to unlock funding when they need it most, without the delays or rigid structures often associated with traditional lending.”

Angela, owner of a hotel in Scotland, said: “We were delighted with your help when we suffered severe storm damage, and our insurance refused to honour our policy. Without YouLend we would not have been able to do the work.”

As demand for SME finance continues to grow, Handepay and PayPoint remain focused on strengthening their support for independent businesses, combining payments expertise with practical funding solutions that help businesses adapt and grow.