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Payment processing made easy

At ESco, we make payment processing a breeze with all the options you could need. We’re talking everything from major credit cards and digital wallets like Apple Pay and PayPal to Direct Debits and bank transfers… even cash and cheques for those who prefer to keep things old-school. And guess what? We handle all money processing through your own accounts and merchant numbers, so there’s no cash flow delay—just smooth sailing.

Payment Processing

“For me, what really makes ESco standout is that you always stay true to your values, a strategy that clearly pays off.”

Gill Lambert, Operations Director, Kelsey Media

Taking the headache away of managing your finances

With years of experience, our Finance and Admin team ensures smooth payment processing, eliminating the headaches of accurate reporting and reconciliation for you. They expertly handle repeat payments, invoicing, credit control, and reconciliation using advanced systems and processes. You’ll receive detailed reports to monitor performance and stay informed on what’s working.

Specialist direct debit processing

As a BACS approved bureau, we take Direct Debits seriously and we do it really well. We’ve been expertly managing them since 1985 and proudly held our BACS Approved Bureau status since 1994, like a golden badge of honour. We are audited every four years to make sure we have the right people, processes, systems, and security measures in place so that every single automatic payment is collected securely, efficiently and on time.

In a recent benchmarking, our costs for processing Direct Debits were shown to be half the cost of our leading competitors.

Tasty takeaways

Retain
and grow

Our team specialises in managing repeat payments with advanced systems to help you retain and grow your valuable customers. We expertly follow up on failed payments and use proven strategies to ensure customer retention and growth.

Multiple payment types

The payment landscape is constantly evolving which is why we work with hand chosen trusted partners to offer payments via Visa, Mastercard, American Express, cash, cheques, digital wallets like Apple Pay, PayPal and Google Pay, and of course Direct Debits.

Multiple currencies

Grow your communities by launching into new markets and offer payments in multiple currencies including Euros, US Dollars, Australian Dollars or even the Renminbi (the Chinese Yuan).

Accurate reporting

We know that having a tight grip on your finances is absolutely critical to running your business which is why we have developed a suite of easy to understand reports so you can keep you finger on the pulse.

Latest insights

23/05/25
Megan Walden

BACS audit confirms ESco is secure, compliant, and consistently excellent

We’re delighted to share that on 15 April 2025, ESco underwent our latest BACS audit and…

April 30, 2025

A stronger membership model, built together

The Countryside Alliance has been standing up for rural communities for decades — championing countryside causes in Parliament, rallying supporters on the ground, and campaigning for a vibrant, sustainable future.

The team at ESco has been consistently attentive and accommodating over the years. Ben and Wes, in particular, have ensured positive communication …

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Megan Walden

ESco joins PPA and industry leaders to shape the future of subscription regulation

As the government gears up to implement its new subscription contracts regime—part of th…

August 27, 2024

A smarter way to collect payments

At the start of 2021, we completed the migration of the Direct Debit collection processing over to ESco, on behalf of our friends at the prestigious Countryside Alliance.

ESco continues to provide us with an excellent level of service which is customised to our needs. It is invaluable for our business to have industr…

Chris Clover, Managing Director, Panini
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Megan Walden

ESco supports Gift Aid growth for The Countryside Alliance Foundation

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Unifying data across a diverse portfolio

With over 93 different publications – including a mix of B2B, B2C and controlled circulation—plus 10 events, 60 newsletters and more than 80 merchandise products, Kelsey Media was managing a vast and dynamic portfolio.

Everything they have learned over 40 years goes into everyday at ESco. How do they do it? They invest in their people as well as their technology. …

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ESco ramps up CRM investment to unlock smarter membership models and smoother operations

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We chose ESco to build our customer database because they have a deep understanding of our data. Any other solution would…

Gill Lambert, Operations Director, Kelsey Media
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Another brilliant year at PPA Festival for 2025

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Lawrence Tribe-Endt, Head of Membership Marketing, Countryside Alliance
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For me, what really makes ESco standout is that you always stay true to your values, a strategy that clearly pays off.

Gill Lambert, Operations Director, Kelsey Media
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ESco continues to invest in eCommerce platform to boost client success

We’re all about continuous improvement—and our eCommerce platform is no exception. Ove…

As a company only half as old as you are, we know how hard it is to keep up with all the developments and changes in the industry, but for you to k…

Jon Bickley, CEO, Anthem Publishing
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Celebrating the Shortlist for PPA Awards 2025

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The team at ESco are personable, responsive, and highly knowledgeable. I can always trust every piece of work that goes through ESco to be done eff…

Emma Kelly, Senior Account Manager, Air Business
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ESco renews Investors in People accreditation

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We’ve been long time cheer leaders and partners of ESco in the truest sense, through good and bad you work through things together and get th…

Elliot Wellsteed-Crook, Chief Operating Officer, Wanderlust
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ESco’s monthly marketing and financial packs have all the information in one place, and provide us with the business insight and intelligence we …

Steven Barkess, Marketing Director, emap
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A Very ESco Christmas 2024

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It goes without saying we all absolutely adore working with you guys.

Emma Robson, CEO, First News
27/11/24
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ESco leads roundtable in AI and Customer Service

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ESco do a wonderful job of managing our subscriptions. Alice, Sam, and the rest of the team are a joy to work with and have helped us to consistent…

Sam Lachter, Marketing & Operations Manager, Granta
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Megan Walden

Highlights from the PPA Independent Publisher Awards 2024

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The real reason we work with Sue and ESco is because they work very hard, they are dedicated, super honest, they’re flexible, in fact they ar…

Mark Moloney, Managing Director, Professional Beauty Group
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Celebrating emap’s launch of CN Intelligence

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ESco celebrates 40 years of business with a rebrand

ESco, partnership and solutions provider within the industry, recently announced a rebrand…

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ESco sparks innovation with first-ever AI Immersion Day

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The Countryside Alliance expands partnership with ESco to outsource membership management

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ESco appoints new Director of Product

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ESco onboards The Burlington Magazine

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A Retrospective Look

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Roses are red…

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Fieldsports Press Ltd completes the migration of The Countryman’s Weekly

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ACE Christmas Luncheon 2023

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PPA Scotland Awards 2023

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PPA Independent Publisher Awards 2023

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ESco Connect 2023

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Fieldsports Press Ltd completes the migration of Future’s shooting brands

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PPA Awards 2023

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Colouring Heaven wins “International Publication of the Year”

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Tungsten Publishing completes their move to ESco

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02/05/23
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Fieldsports Press Ltd completes the migration of Trout & Salmon

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ESco completes onboarding of newest client Whitmar Publications

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ESco proudly sponsors the PPA Festival 2023

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