In a market that is ever changing there is constant pressure on salon owners to stay ahead of the competition. Indeed, being able to offer the most up to date equipment is a large part of repeat business and gaining new customers. If you cannot match the services provided by the salon down the road then you are putting yourself in a very precarious position.

But a constantly changing market also means that the cost implication of keeping up with the Jones’ is a very serious one. However, there is a way of funding these changes without bankrupting your salon or allowing the banks to own your business. Sunbed leasing has become an increasingly popular option when it comes to financing tanning equipment. It offers the ability to keep up with the latest trends, renew and upgrade equipment on a regular basis and helps to keep an establishment at the cutting edge.

In order to offer the very latest in tanning equipment either on the UV beds or with spray tanning, finance can offer a number of persuasive benefits that outright purchase can never match.

Sunbed leasing can protect capital, secure accurate cash flow forecasts, offer versatility and tax breaks. Established to specifically meet the requirements of the tanning, leisure and beauty industries, Alliance and General Leasing is the leading provider of funding currently operating in these UK markets.

"We believe that owner/operators should stop worrying about owning their tanning equipment and instead concentrate on earning from it," says Graham Partridge of Alliance & General Leasing. "We provide a bespoke solution that results in maximised revenues, controlled cash flows and the opportunity for our clients to direct funds into different areas of their businesses."

Sunbed leasing is now probably the most popular method of financing modern equipment in the tanning industry. Salon owners can afford to finance the best possible equipment from suppliers with a proven track record in the tanning business that ultimately adds to the revenue stream by bringing more business through the door. Working out how affordable leasing is as an option for your business is quite straightforward.

If we take an example of an average spend on tanning equipment. For a £5000 spend over a three year agreement a monthly charge of £180 or £41.54 per week or £6.92 per day is applicable. If you equate this to the number of sessions the salon needs to sell in order to make that piece of equipment self-funding it means only 7 six-minute sessions per week need to be sold at a £1 per minute. For most salons this would be easily within their capabilities and very quickly that piece of equipment can be used as a way of adding to the working capital of the business.

Alliance is well versed in dealing with the ever-changing needs of the market place and works in association with a wide range of proven equipment suppliers offering the best deals available. "The key to a good leasing scheme is flexibility," comments Graham. "No two circumstances are the same and we treat each case on its merits. We get to know our clients and their business goals before putting the deal together, thus ensuring that it is devised to suit their individual needs."