Cash advances for UK opticians.
For independent opticians, eyewear boutiques, and dispensing practices. Funded against your private card takings. Frames, lenses, contact lens subscriptions, and private sight tests.
What MCA means for an optician.
Opticians sit on a steady, predictable card mix. Private sight tests, designer frames, premium lens packages, and contact lens direct debits all flow through your card acquirer. NHS GOS sight tests settle via NHS BSA into your bank account and don't show in card volume. So MCA capacity is a function of your private side, the same split dental practices know well. Uses we see most: stock-up of new frame ranges (Tom Ford, Lindberg, RayBan seasonal drops), OCT or fundus camera upgrade, store refit, second branch fit-out, and marketing pushes around varifocal or myopia management.
Sound familiar?
New season frame range drop, supplier wants payment up front.
Designer ranges land twice a year and the better suppliers expect 50% deposit on order. £15k to £40k tied up months before the frames sell through.
MCA covers the deposit immediately. Repays from card takings as the new range sells through over the following season. Cleaner than a trade credit stretch.
OCT, fundus camera, or autorefractor upgrade.
Modern diagnostic kit £15k to £45k. Unlocks higher-margin private testing and shifts you up the recommendation list with local GPs.
Asset finance often prices better for named equipment. We'll compare honestly. For working-capital sleeves around the kit purchase (training, install, marketing), MCA fits.
Practice refit or second-branch opening.
Dispensing area refresh, new testing room, signage and shopfit, £30k to £80k of mixed working capital and fixed cost.
MCA handles the working-capital side, asset finance for fixtures. Hybrid usually optimal. We structure both sides through the broker family if needed.
Here's what it actually costs.
An independent two-tester practice borrows £25,000 to refresh the dispensing area and stock two new designer ranges. Monthly private card takings: £42,000 (NHS GOS not included). £25,000. Average monthly card takings £42,000. Fixed cost 1.23. 9% daily repayment % on card sales, total cost £5,750.
These figures are illustrative. If a term loan or asset finance fits your situation better, we'll tell you.
Open the fixed cost calculator →Work out the real cost.
New businesses typically start at a higher daily % and a shorter term.
Illustrative only, not a quote.
- Advance£25,000
- vs card takings60%
- Fixed cost1.23
- Daily repayment£124
- Avg monthly£3,780
- Est. term8.1 months
Illustrative. The fixed cost is set on day one; daily repayment varies with takings. Term capped at 18 months.
Illustrative only, not a quote. Every figure here is subject to the funder. Funders advance anywhere from 100% up to 150% of monthly card takings, so 150% is not guaranteed, and the fixed cost is not guaranteed either. Your actual advance, fixed cost and terms depend on the funder and your business profile.
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No. NHS sight test fees settle via NHS BSA directly to your bank account and don't flow through your card acquirer. MCA capacity is based on private card takings only. Frames, lenses, private testing, contact lens subscriptions.
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