Paused or under financial pressure

Where to begin

• List cash available, essential payments and expected receipts by date. Separate known obligations from estimates and identify urgent gaps.

• Contact lenders, suppliers and advisers early to discuss options and document agreed terms. Do not assume a new loan will solve a structural shortfall.

• Consider smaller operations, a pause or an orderly closure; check contractual, employee, tax and registration obligations with qualified help.

Stabilise and decide

Make a dated list of payments, expected collections and available cash. Identify essential commitments and amounts that need discussion; use realistic estimates where figures are uncertain. Contact the people affected early and keep a written record of any revised terms.

Compare the cost of continuing at a smaller scale, pausing and closing. Each choice can affect contracts, employees, debt, registrations and tax; seek advice for your facts. Avoid promising payments you cannot support with the cash forecast.

Go deeper

• Cash and runway
• Compare funding options
• Find professional support

Choose more stages and concerns