CBCT was formed in 1999 with the aim to create places and services that would benefit locals, while saving ex-Ministry of Defence land and buildings from being sold exclusively to developers and used for private housing.

The charity owns various properties that are used by a range of community groups, businesses and families. In one building the Trust operates a community hub called The ARC, which contains an exercise studio, children’s soft play, a gymnastics centre, a gallery and a café bar. The old NAAFI building and Officers’ Mess now house serviced and traditional offices, providing affordable facilities to local businesses.

The new £1.1 million Triodos Bank loan refinances previous lending to help primarily with CBCT’s cash flow. The Trust was declined by a high street bank for a new loan, but it was referred onwards through the government’s Bank Referral Scheme, where it was able to work with designated funding platform,  Alternative Business Funding (ABF), to arrange the loan with Triodos.

The finance helps to secure the future of The ARC and ensures that the Trust can continue to run its services, which benefit a broad range of the community, from adults with disabilities to parent and toddler groups.

CBCT is also responsible for the village green which has played host to several cricket clubs and social events, as well as the Joliffe Field (the baseball field of the old Barracks) which supports 32 junior teams, including five girls’ teams, through Caterham Pumas Football Club.

Paul Nicoll, social and cultural team manager at Triodos Bank UK, said: “We believe that banks have a major role to play in lending money to create a better world, and we make sure that all of our loans help enable positive social, environmental or cultural change. In this instance, the community focus of CBCT’s work delivers clear social impact. The Trust provides much-needed facilities for the surrounding communities and its presence helps bring lots of jobs to the local area. We’re proud to help CBCT continue its great work.”

Jeff Blyth, chair of Caterham Barracks Community Trust, said: “The Trust struggled to find a lender who could see beyond the short term, often challenging issues of the past, and we are grateful to Triodos for giving us the opportunity to demonstrate that a sustainable future is possible and help us make it happen.”

Julien Tavener, chief operating officer at Alternative Business Funding, said: “CBCT was referred to ABF as part of the Bank Referral Scheme after traditional sources of lending were unable to assist. The ABF Funder Finder engine was able to identify a number of different lenders based on the set up of the charity. We’re delighted that after recommending Triodos Bank UK as a potential lender Triodos was able to offer CBCT the full amount required to refinance its existing mortgage. From what we understand, CBCT is a much-cherished resource of the local community and is now able to continue its important charity work as a result of the lending provided by Triodos.”

-Ends-

Images available upon request.

For further information please contact:

Ellie James

Ed Grattan

Notes to editor

About Triodos Bank

Founded in 1980, Triodos Bank has become a frontrunner in sustainable banking globally. As an independent bank that promotes responsible and transparent banking, it does not see any conflict between a focus on people and the planet and a good financial return. Instead it believes that they reinforce each other in the long-term.

Triodos Bank has banking activities in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Spain, Germany and France as well as Investment Management activities based in the Netherlands but active globally. Triodos Bank co-founded the Global Alliance for Banking on Values (GABV), a network of 54 sustainable banks. Together these banks want to grow sustainable banking and its impact on the real economy substantially.

About Alternative Business Funding (ABF)

Alternative Business Funding Limited (ABF) is a business dedicated to helping UK business owners to research, compare and secure business funding. In 2017, HM Treasury, acting on the advice of the British Business Bank, appointed ABF as one of the Government’s designated finance platforms for the Bank Referral Scheme.

The ABF platform uses a unique Funder Finder engine to match SME users looking for business funding with finance providers. ABF funding partners cover the high street banks and the vast majority of the alternative business funding market with more joining the collaboration all the time.

ABF is simple, safe, efficient, free and fair – the business owner provides some straightforward information which allows them to search for available finance without impacting their credit rating.

The Funder Finder engine also ranks providers on the suitability of the products offered to the SME based on their reason for seeking funding – the choice of who to contact is left to the SME.

ABF is committed to creating a more collaborative environment for business funding, aimed at simplifying SME owners’ search for finance to help support their businesses and also a place for the major banks to redirect customers. It is supported by the CBI and the Forum of Private Business.

Triodos Bank UK Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triodos Bank NV. Registered Office: Deanery Road, Bristol, BS1 5AS. Registered in England and Wales Company No. 11379025. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under registration number 817008. VAT reg no 793493383.