Skip to content

Why a Shorter Finance Lease with a Buyback at the End Might Work for You

Solara Team |

In the live events game, timing is everything. You might need top-notch gear—like a killer sound system or a slick LED wall—for a couple of tours, a festival season, or a 24-month run of gigs. But what happens when the job’s done? Owning equipment you no longer need can feel like a burden, tying up cash or cluttering your storage. That’s where a shorter finance lease with a buyback at the end comes in—a smart option from Solara Finance that keeps your costs low and your focus on the show.

The Power of a Shorter Lease

Traditional finance deals often stretch over three, five, or even seven years, locking you into long-term payments for gear you might not use forever. A shorter lease—say, 24 months—matches the lifespan of your project. Planning two tours across the UK in 2025 and 2026? You get the kit you need now, without committing to a decade of ownership. At Solara Finance, we tailor these leases to your event timeline, so you’re not overpaying for idle assets.

How the Buyback Works

Here’s the twist: at the end of your lease, Solara commits to take the equipment back. We don’t just store it—we sell it on, often outside the UK, to markets where it won’t compete with your own. Say you’ve leased £30,000 worth of lighting for those two tours. After 24 months, we buy it back at an agreed residual value—based on an agreement between us on its condition and market demand. That buyback reduces your overall financing cost, slashing your monthly payments compared to a standard lease or outright purchase.

Lower Monthly Payments, Bigger Flexibility

Why does this save you money? When we know we’ll reclaim and resell the gear, we factor that future value into your lease. A £30,000 AV setup over 24 months might cost £1,500 a month on a typical loan. With our buyback option, that could drop to £1,000 or less, because we’re not expecting you to pay off the full amount—we’re banking on recouping part of it later. For cash-strapped event pros, that’s hundreds more each month to spend on talent, marketing, or unexpected hiccups.

Why Sell Outside the UK?

We often move the equipment overseas—think Europe, Asia, or North America—where demand for secondhand event gear is strong. This keeps it out of your backyard, so you’re not undercut by your own kit flooding the UK market. It’s a win-win: you get lower payments, and we handle the resale logistics, tapping into global buyers who need quality gear at a discount.

How It Works in Practice

  1. Pick Your Gear: Choose what you need—sound, lights, staging—for your next project.
  2. Set the Term: Tell us your timeline—18, 24, 36 months, whatever fits.
  3. Agree on Buyback: We estimate the gear’s end-of-lease value and build it into your deal.
  4. Pay Less Monthly: Enjoy lower payments while you use the equipment.
  5. Hand It Back: After the lease, we collect it and sell it on, often overseas.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Consider a £20,000 sound system:

  • Standard 24-month finance: £950/month, total £22,800 (with interest).
  • Solara 24-month lease with buyback: £700/month, total £16,800, because we buy it back for £5,000 at the end.
    That’s £250 saved monthly—£6,000 over two years—freed up for your next big idea.

Why It’s a Game-Changer

The live events industry moves fast. UK Music reported 31 million attendees at UK events in 2023, and 2025 promises even more as hybrid and outdoor gigs surge. You need gear that keeps up, but not forever. A shorter lease with a buyback lets you stay agile—upgrade for the next tour without lugging around yesterday’s kit. Plus, with Solara’s global resale network, you’re not stuck selling locally or eating depreciation costs.

Is It Right for You?

This works best if:

  • You’ve got a defined project—like two tours or a festival run—spanning 12–36 months.
  • You want lower payments to keep cash flowing.
  • You’d rather not deal with old gear post-event.
    If that’s you, Solara’s got your back.

The Bottom Line

A shorter finance lease with a buyback at the end isn’t just financing—it’s freedom. You get the latest gear for your next show, pay less each month, and walk away clean when it’s over. Ready to make your 2025 tours unstoppable? Contact Solara Finance, and let’s craft a deal that fits your stage—and your budget.

Share this post