Penicuik Car Finance
Used Car Finance in Penicuik, Midlothian
GB Car Finance specialises in used car finance in and around Penicuik. We will work hard to help you obtain an approval decision, based on affordability, in minutes and drive away your new used car within 24 hours!
Car Finance Based On Affordability
If you need a loan to buy a used car then you have come to the right place - We could help to find car finance for you regardless of your current financial circumstances. We regularly help people with bad credit, even if they have been refused elsewhere. Simply complete the form opposite to apply.
Car Finance Penicuik
We are available to help people access car finance 247, 365 days a year - Whether you need an affordable family saloon, an economical hatchback, a large car or a people carrier we will work hard to help you find the right car for you. Apply online day or night, or speak with one of our friendly operators who will help guide you through the car finance application process and answer any questions you have.
“I was happy with the deal I got for my new car as I've struggled in the past to get the finance from any other company as I've had bad credit. They were very helpful on the phone and helped me choose my car - I was more than happy and would recommend GB Car Finance to anyone…”
All circumstances considered - CCJs, defaults, arrears, self employed, benefits, limited or no credit history, refused car finance elsewhere - Whatever your circumstances we'll look to help.
Used Car Finance in Midlothian
As well as Penicuik, GB Car Finance is pleased to assist people searching for car finance in Balerno, Bonnyrigg, Currie, Dalkeith, Edinburgh, Fairmilehead, Gorebridge, Juniper Green, Lasswade, Loanhead, Musselburgh, Pathhead and Roslin in Midlothian.
More information about Penicuik
Penicuik is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, located to the south of Edinburgh and east of Glasgow. With a total population of under 12,000 it is small but diverse with no two streets or neighbourhoods being the same. Penicuik has enjoyed an eclectic history that has seen it connected to the car industry, finance industry and motorsport.
Car Industry
The history of the car industry in Penicuik dates back to the early 1900s when two industrialists arrived in the town - Henry Alexander of Leith and John Thomson of Glasgow - to set up the Penicuik Car Company. Their ambitious plan was to produce cars that could compete with the likes of Ford, Morris, Austin and Triumph. They began producing cars in 1907, initially using parts sourced from England but later being supplemented with components manufactured in the town's local factory.
The first models of the Penicuik cars incorporated a 12-horsepower engine, three speed gearbox and a coil ignition system. The design of their cars was based on a model made by London car builders Wells. Some of the earliest Penicuik cars featured a five-seater model that was priced at around £350.
By 1915, the business was in full swing and had grown to employ over 80 staff, including skilled craftsman and engineers. Although the company struggled financially during the First World War, due to a loss of export markets, they managed to survive. In 1917 they sold their first exports to India, Japan and Australia.
The company also made traction engines and other commercial vehicles, as well as cars. In 1925 they unveiled the Penicuik Napier, a six-cylinder model with a twin-cam engine. This was beside their other offerings which included the Penicuik Two-Six and the small two-cylinder Penicuik Minoret.
Finance Industry
Penicuik was also home to a number of financial enterprises during its history. The Royal Bank of Scotland had a presence in the town since the begining of the 19th century with the Hills and Merchiston Banking Company making their home in Penicuik in 1822. P&J Sharkey, who were merchants and financiers, moved to Penicuik from London in 1847, investing heavily in the town by purchasing a range of properties in the surrounding area.
As the 19th century progressed, banking underwent a period of expansion in Penicuik, with more banks opening. This included the Langlands & Bolland Bank in 1883, The Edinburgh & Midlothian Bank in 1894, The National Bank of Scotland in 1898, The Union Bank of Scotland in 1902, The Clydesdale Bank in 1902, and The Royal Bank in 1903. By the start of the 20th century, Penicuik was well established as an important centre for banking in Scotland.
Motorsport
Motorsport also has an intriguing connection to Penicuik, with the town being the birthplace of the renowned racing driver Dario Resta. Dario, who would go on to win the 1916 Indianapolis 500, was born in Penicuik in 1888, the son of an Italian immigrant cheese importer.
At the age of three, Dario and his family moved to London, England, where he began to show an early interest in motorsport. After competing in numerous races in Italy and France, Dario signed for Sunbeam Racing in 1914 and won the prestigious Brooklands 200 mile race later that year.
In 1916 Dario was offered the chance to compete in the United States, arriving in New York with just $5, and win the Indianapolis 500. His victory was a remarkable accomplishment, making him the first foreign driver to win the race.
Demographics
The population of the town is made up of a mix of different ages and nationalities. According to the last national census, the total population of Penicuik is 11,772 people, with the majority of the population (47%) being between the ages of 25 and 54. The largest minority group is Scottish Asians, with 9% of the population identifying as such. The median age of residents is 43 and it has a relatively young population with 37% of inhabitants are between 16 and 34 years old. The town also has a fairly large foreign-born population, which represents 22% of the total population. People living in Penicuik are mainly employed in the three largest economic sectors: the Finance and Business Services, Retail and Hospitality, and Manufacturing.
Conclusion
Penicuik is a small town with an interesting history that has seen it closely connected to the car industry, finance industry and motorsport. Car production began in the early 1900s with the formation of the Penicuik Car Company, before the arrival of a number of banks in the late 19th century. Penicuik is also the birthplace of five-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Resta, who was born there in 1888. Finally, the population of the town is a mix of different age groups and nationalities, with Scottish Asians being the largest minority group. Whether it be industry, motorsport or simply the people that make Penicuik what it is, the town is a vibrant and diverse small community.