Hours to minutes: Tottington Manor slash payment processing time by 95%
For Tottington Manor, a boutique hotel nestled in the idyllic South Downs National Park, manual payment processes were a growing hassle, threatening to the business’s daily operations. With a constant flow of supplier and payroll payments, even the smallest slip-up could cascade into chaos. But that was before they discovered Modulr.
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Payment headaches and operational chaos
Before Modulr, Tottington Manor were drowning in administrative work. Each week, Finance Director Steve Pomery faced a deluge of manual data entry, risking costly errors with every new hire or supplier payment. In an industry where cash flow is king and mistakes can stall operations, this system was unsustainable.
- Risk of human error. Manually inputting bank details for each staff member increased the risk of overpayments, underpayments, and unhappy employees.
- Supplier relationships at risk. A single missed payment could mean halted deliveries—no supplies, no service, no revenue.
- Strained resources. High staff turnover meant continuously updating payroll systems, a process fraught with the potential for error and inefficiency.
- Banking barriers. The hotel’s banking partner imposed a £50,000 daily limit, complicating payroll cycles that regularly exceeded this amount.
Searching for simplicity and reliability
After years of firefighting these financial fires, Tottington Manor’s leadership knew they needed a better way. Steve started looking for a solution that could reduce admin overhead, increase accuracy, and restore confidence in their payment processes.
"Modulr gives me the freedom to manage payments wherever I am. Recently, I approved payroll from the beach with a drink in hand. Rewind two years, and I would’ve been stuck sweating over spreadsheets during my holiday. Now, I can keep the business running smoothly from anywhere."
Why Modulr?
Tottington Manor had tried other solutions, but nothing quite fit. Banking fees stacked up, and the software was often clunky and ill-suited to their needs. Modulr was different.
- Streamlined processes. With integrations like BrightPay and Xero, Modulr automated payroll and supplier payments, freeing up precious time.
- Flexibility and control. Modulr’s mobile app meant Steve could approve payments anywhere.
- Cost efficiency. By consolidating payments into one weekly transaction, Modulr slashed bank fees and simplified cash flow management.
- Higher payment limits. Modulr’s platform bypassed the daily banking limit, ensuring payrolls were processed without a hitch.
"With Modulr, payment processing is incredibly straightforward. I log in once a week, approve the payments, transfer the money, and pay all our suppliers in just four to five minutes. It’s efficient, accurate, and gives me peace of mind."
"With Modulr, I’m setting the business up for growth. Whether it’s managing payroll for multiple sites or ensuring timely supplier payments, Modulr gives me the control and confidence to scale without needing a big back-office team."
From firefighting to future planning
Once Modulr was implemented, the transformation was immediate. Gone were the days of panic over payroll or supplier delays.
- Efficiency skyrocketed. Payment processing time dropped from hours to mere minutes. "I log into Modulr once a week and it takes me about four to five minutes to approve the payments,” Steve shared.
- Error elimination. The seamless integration with existing accounting tools meant no more copying and pasting—no more mistakes.
- Operational freedom. Steve now had the flexibility to manage payments remotely, ensuring the business never skipped a beat, no matter where he was.
- Financial control. Modulr’s clear, real-time insights into cash flow allowed Steve to make informed decisions, maintaining liquidity and stability.
“Building for the future, I have to think about my exit plan and how do I step fully out the business at some stage. I'll step fully out of the business holding on to my Modulr app on my phone and just approve the payments and from the beach every day.”
The results? A smooth-running operation
Today, Tottington Manor runs like a well-oiled machine. With Modulr:
- 95% reduction in payment processing time. From hours hunched over spreadsheets to a few minutes on a mobile app.
- Improved supplier relationships. Timely payments strengthened trust, ensuring no missed deliveries or service interruptions.
- Significant cost savings. Lower bank fees and a more efficient payment process contributed directly to the bottom line.
- Future-ready finance, With Modulr, Steve is already planning for expansion, confident that their payment processes can scale effortlessly.
"Modulr simplifies my life and makes the business work better—that’s all I can ask," Steve reflected. The shift from reactive to proactive financial management has empowered Tottington Manor to focus on what truly matters—delivering unforgettable experiences to every guest.
Read more about how clients save 90% on payroll with Accounting Matters.
