The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide (part 3)

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Over the past two weeks we’ve been showcasing the best marketplace gift ideas for friends and family, from award-winning food and personalised Santa sacks in part one, to luxury leather belts and winter warmers from the US in part two.

We’re showcasing each business on Funding Circle’s Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram pages and would love for you to share the ones you like! #GiftGuide2015

Day 14 : Owen Barry

Wrap up warm this Christmas with a hand-crafted shearling coat from Owen Barry, who have been manufacturing ethically sourced clothing and accessories in Somerset since 1948. Owen Barry borrowed £60,000 in May 2012 so they could move to a larger premises and cope with increasing demand.

Day 15 : The Exhibition Rooms

Located in London? Why not eat out at The Exhibition Rooms this Christmas. Run by two friends, David Massey and Geoff Ridgeon, the restaurant has an excellent reputation on a number of restaurant review sites. In February 2014 they took out a £30,000 business loan to develop the restaurant site.

Day 16 : Omi’s Apfelstrudel, Netherlands

Drink Omi’s delicious Apfelstrudel warm, cold, or with a little dash of spirit! Omi’s Apfelstrudel, who borrowed through the Funding Circle marketplace in the Netherlands, presses delicious juice in Austria’s apple growing centre “Steiermark”.

Day 17 : Lakeland Picnic

Lakeland Picnic produce lamb, beef and pork & chorizo burgers in South Cumbria. The business was established in 2007, when owner Michelle Partington saw a gap in the market to provide better quality street food. She borrowed £17,000 in September 2013 to revamp her stall and received the money in less than 7 days. Lakeland Picnic cater for events throughout the North West and have a stall at the ‘Street Food’ market Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Day 18 : Ark Consultants

Looking for a New Year challenge? Lancashire-based business Ark Consultants arrange the Original Mountain Marathon series, a two day mountain marathon event, and design outdoor clothing and equipment under the OMM brand. They borrowed £80,000 in 2013 to expand the business internationally.

Day 19 : Bramley & Gage

Treat someone special to the Bramley & Gage 6 O’clock Gin and Tonic Gift Set this Christmas. The family-run business has been manufacturing award-winning fruit liqueurs and gin in Gloucestershire since 1988. Father and son team, Edward and Michael Kain took out a £25,000 business loan to buy a new gin still to help them increase production. 

Day 20 : Hales Gallery

Want to fill your coffee table with modern art books? Look no further than Hales Gallery. Directors Paul Maslin and Paul Hedge have been dealing contemporary art since 1992, and helped launch the careers of a number of Young British Artists during the ’90s boom. They’ve now taken three loans through Funding Circle to ease working capital, borrowing £200,000 from over 3,000 investors across the UK.

In next week’s list of marketplace gift ideas we’ll be showcasing delightful everyday goods and handmade wreaths. Find out more next Monday!

Thank you to all investors

Thousands of people and larger investors have lent over £980 million to 12,000 UK businesses through the Funding Circle marketplace since 2010. Thank you for all of your support in 2015, and we look forward to bringing you more lending opportunities in 2016.

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