Overview

• Birmingham Live, Manchester Evening News and MyLondon ran city features on September 2 positioning Square for SMEs, citing a projected £5.8bn UK hair and beauty market in 2025 and Birmingham’s strong ranking for new beauty ventures.
• Square’s suite comprises Point of Sale, Appointments with 24/7 online booking, and a Dashboard offering real-time analytics, team management and marketing tools.
• The company advertises automatic next-business-day settlements by default and optional instant transfers for a fee, typically reaching bank accounts in about 20 minutes with a £15 minimum and a £3,500 daily limit.
• Square Card is described as a free business debit card offering immediate access to takings, and Square Loans provide sales-based funding subject to eligibility and approval.
• Merchants quoted in Birmingham, Manchester and London report easier setup, faster access to funds and smoother operations, including Barber Barber’s claim that bookings nearly doubled and a London restaurateur crediting a Square loan with helping after a fire.