Cellar Cooling Finance

Q: Does cellar cooling finance include the pipe runs to the bar?

The cooling unit and compressor are financeable as equipment. Running additional cooled pipework, or extending an existing pipe run to serve more lines at the bar, is treated as installation work and is often costed and funded separately. On a straightforward replacement of an existing compressor without new pipework, this is rarely an issue. Where the project is a straightforward like-for-like compressor swap with no new pipework involved, this distinction rarely causes any delay to the finance application itself.

Q: Can cellar cooling be financed on its own or does it need to be bundled with dispense equipment?

It can be financed on its own, particularly when replacing a failed compressor on an otherwise unchanged cellar. It is just as commonly bundled with a beer dispense system when opening a new venue or doing a bigger cellar refit, since both are usually quoted by the same installer. Either way, the cooling unit itself is treated as standard, well-understood equipment, so the credit decision is rarely the slow part of a cellar refit.

Q: How quickly can a failed cellar cooler be replaced using finance?

Given the relatively low cost of most cellar cooling systems, approval for an established pub is usually quick, often same-day, which matters because a failed cooler puts stock at risk within days. If the cellar cooler has already failed, tell the lender or broker so they understand the urgency. Keep a note of when the fault was identified and any temporary measures taken to protect stock, since some lenders ask for this when assessing an urgent replacement request.

Q: Can a start-up pub finance its first cellar cooling system?

Yes, given the relatively low cost of most cellar cooling systems, this is usually one of the more accessible items for a new pub to finance, though a personal guarantee is likely to be requested regardless of trading history. Because cellar cooling is essential to legally and safely serve cask and keg beer, lenders experienced in the licensed trade generally understand why a new opening needs it from day one of trading.

Spread the cost of cellar cooling from £1,350 to £6,000+ with flexible finance options. HP, lease, or refinance; compare rates from 40+ lenders.

Can you finance a cellar cooling?

Yes, cellar coolings are financed as a standard asset purchase, usually on hire purchase or a lease, with the machine itself acting as the security. UK prices typically run £1,350 to £6,000, and most deals are written over 12–60 months with a deposit of around 10–20%. Decisions typically take 24–48 hours. Used machines are financeable too, usually with a shorter term.

Typical Cost

£1k – £6k

Approval Speed

24–48 hours

Same-day for < £25k

Rates From

6.3% APR

What would a cellar cooling cost per month?

Cellar Cooling price (ex VAT) £2,200

Deposit 10%

Agreement term 60 months

Annual interest rate 9%

Balloon payment £0

Your estimate

Indicative only. Not a quote and not an offer of finance.

Pre-filled with a typical cellar cooling price. Indicative only, not a quote.

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Rate: From 6.8% APR
Term: 12–60 months
Deposit: 10–20%
Ownership: Yours at the end
Best for: Cellar Cooling buyers wanting to own it outright

Finance Lease

Rate: From 6.3% APR
Term: 12–60 months
Deposit: None required
Ownership: Return or buy (balloon payment)
Best for: Tax-efficient; claim 100% of payments against profit

Operating Lease

Rate: From 7.0% APR
Term: 24–60 months
Deposit: 1–3 rentals in advance
Ownership: Return at end
Best for: Upgrade cellar cooling regularly. Off balance sheet.

Representative example

On a purchase price of £2,200: a 10% deposit of £220, then 48 monthly payments of £46 at 5.9% APR representative (fixed). Total amount payable £2,428, including the deposit. The rate you are offered depends on your business and the asset.

What buyers actually specify

Guide prices for sizing a finance agreement, not quotes. Manufacturers in this market mostly price on application, so where a current UK list price could not be confirmed the row describes a specification class rather than naming a model. Your supplier quote is what the agreement is written against.

Machine or specification	Guide price	Type
Compact cellar cooler, up to 9m pipe run	£1,350 – £2,995	Compact Cellar Cooler
Remote cellar cooling system, larger cellar	£3,000 – £4,500	Remote Cellar Cooling System
Twin-compressor cellar cooling, high-volume pub	£4,500 – £6,500	High-Volume Cellar Cooling

Market context

Every pub serving cask or keg beer needs cellar cooling to keep it at the correct temperature, so demand comes from both new openings and replacement of ageing compressors, which are one of the more failure-prone parts of a pub's back-of-house. Systems from the established UK suppliers are fitted specifically to the cellar they serve, but the compressor and control unit are standard equipment with a reasonable resale market, so financing them is generally straightforward once you separate the equipment from any pipework installation.

Frequently asked questions

Does cellar cooling finance include the pipe runs to the bar?

The cooling unit and compressor are financeable as equipment. Running additional cooled pipework, or extending an existing pipe run to serve more lines at the bar, is treated as installation work and is often costed and funded separately. On a straightforward replacement of an existing compressor without new pipework, this is rarely an issue. Where the project is a straightforward like-for-like compressor swap with no new pipework involved, this distinction rarely causes any delay to the finance application itself.

Can cellar cooling be financed on its own or does it need to be bundled with dispense equipment?

It can be financed on its own, particularly when replacing a failed compressor on an otherwise unchanged cellar. It is just as commonly bundled with a beer dispense system when opening a new venue or doing a bigger cellar refit, since both are usually quoted by the same installer. Either way, the cooling unit itself is treated as standard, well-understood equipment, so the credit decision is rarely the slow part of a cellar refit.

How quickly can a failed cellar cooler be replaced using finance?

Given the relatively low cost of most cellar cooling systems, approval for an established pub is usually quick, often same-day, which matters because a failed cooler puts stock at risk within days. If the cellar cooler has already failed, tell the lender or broker so they understand the urgency. Keep a note of when the fault was identified and any temporary measures taken to protect stock, since some lenders ask for this when assessing an urgent replacement request.

Can a start-up pub finance its first cellar cooling system?

Yes, given the relatively low cost of most cellar cooling systems, this is usually one of the more accessible items for a new pub to finance, though a personal guarantee is likely to be requested regardless of trading history. Because cellar cooling is essential to legally and safely serve cask and keg beer, lenders experienced in the licensed trade generally understand why a new opening needs it from day one of trading.

Cellar Cooling Finance

Can you finance a cellar cooling?

What would a cellar cooling cost per month?

Finance options

Hire Purchase (HP)

Finance Lease

Operating Lease

Representative example

What buyers actually specify

Tax benefits

Market context

Bad credit?

Frequently asked questions

Related equipment finance

More hospitality & catering finance

Guides and resources

Ready to finance your cellar cooling?