Moves to bring clubhouse and changing room facilities in line with Llanishen Rugby Club’s brand new, state of the art 3G pitch were potentially out of reach until they approached Henry Howard Finance. Unseen additional excavation costs had stretched their budget and also put new changing rooms in doubt. As the project progressed, it became clear that an innovative approach to funding would be required.
Henry Howard
Investing in an international size 3G pitch at Llanishen rugby ground proved problematic when it came to building a much-needed clubhouse and changing facilities. Installing the pitch and additional costs involved in excavating the proposed clubhouse site was within the club’s budget. A base-level of funding was required, however, for local company Clarks Modular Building Ltd to get the clubhouse project underway at all – which is where Henry Howard Finance stepped in.
Ellis John, MD at Clarks Modular Building Ltd, said: “Llanishen approached us to see how we could assist them in staged payments. I had worked with Henry Howard Finance previously and was well-aware of their flexibility and approach, and we managed to come up with an agreement which enabled Llanishen to get some assistance with initial funding.”
John Andrews, Club Secretary, said: “Having to dig into the ground, and having to establish something with flood lighting so close to a residential area – it all created extra cost and meant we had to go back to the calculator and start adding up again. Nobody from Henry Howard Finance shied away from the challenges we were facing though, they looked both sympathetically and constructively at solving those issues.”
Matt Jones, Head of Asset Finance at Henry Howard Finance, said: “We are delighted in this instance to have been able to support a project which not only benefits the sports club and contractor at hand, but also the school who share the facility and effectively an entire local community too.
“Helping Llanishen Rugby Club and Clarks Modular Building Ltd to get this project completed to such a high standard is just one of the many ways Henry Howard Finance is able to support organisations in a wide range of sectors, and of varying sizes, where traditional lenders have been known to fail.”
“Drawing on our own lending book gives us much greater flexibility when it comes to providing finance generally. Our approach here has played a vital role in securing the future of a historic local club following a period of unprecedented investment.”
