UK SME lending: recreational, personal and community
UK SME lending: recreational, personal and community stood at £4,087m in Aug 2026, according to Bank of England. It is one of the indicators in the Bank lending table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2016 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Bank lending table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lending to SMEs by industry | |||||||||||
| Recreational, personal and community services | 4,087 | 4,040 | 3,983 | 3,982 | 4,062 | 4,054 | 4,072 | 4,109 | 4,129 | 4,209 | |
| All industries | 204,272 | 202,841 | 202,015 | 201,346 | 201,023 | 201,123 | 199,277 | 198,558 | 198,262 | 198,675 |
Understanding UK SME lending: recreational, personal and community
Authorised banking institutions aggregate outstanding sterling credit balances owed by smaller enterprises operating within recreational, personal, and community services throughout the United Kingdom, expressed in GBP million. This metric measures debt extended to smaller entities engaged in arts, entertainment, membership organisations, dry cleaning, hairdressing, and other personal service activities. It omits larger corporate leisure conglomerates, public sector community facilities, and household consumer borrowing. Industrial classification follows standard statistical coding rules to ensure firms are properly assigned based on their primary revenue-generating activities.
Interpreting these monthly figures requires caution regarding seasonal spending patterns tied to leisure participation, tourism seasons, and holiday periods. Initial estimates frequently undergo statistical revisions as reporting banks refine their enterprise size classifications and sector codes. Observers should examine annual growth rates alongside monthly flows to distinguish structural credit shifts from temporary working capital adjustments. Care must be taken when contrasting this series with manufacturing or retail lending, given the distinct asset-backed nature and revenue volatility inherent in personal services.
Frequently asked questions
- What activities are covered under recreational, personal and community services?
- The series includes smaller businesses in arts, entertainment, membership organisations, and personal care services.
- Does this data include household borrowing for personal consumption?
- No, it strictly measures commercial lending to registered smaller enterprises rather than personal consumer debt.
- Are these figures subject to routine revisions?
- Yes, early estimates are regularly updated as banks submit late returns and correct industrial classification details.