1. Introduction 

Summer should be a time to relax, unwind, and maybe even take a well-earned break—but for credit controllers and business owners, it often brings a very different kind of heat. As key contacts head off on holiday and inboxes go quiet, chasing invoices becomes significantly harder. 

The summer slowdown isn’t just a myth-it’s a seasonal challenge that impacts thousands of UK businesses each year. With finance teams working reduced hours and decision-makers out of office, payment cycles stretch, and debt piles up. But it doesn’t have to be this way. 

Understanding the nuances of chasing invoices during this period can significantly enhance your cash flow management.

In this blog, we’ll share practical credit control tips to help you stay on top of payments this summer—without burning out or chasing your tail when chasing invoices. From managing holidays within your own team, we’ll cover everything you need to keep cash coming in, even when everyone else is out of office. 

2. The Summer Slowdown: Why Credit Control Gets Tougher 

The summer months bring a noticeable shift in pace for many industries—and not always in a good way. While sales may stay steady, payments often don’t. The reality is simple: when key decision-makers and finance contacts are on holiday, invoices get pushed to the bottom of the pile. It’s not personal; it’s just poor timing. 

From July through to early September, businesses often operate with skeleton staff, leaving accounts payable teams stretched thin. Even the most reliable payers can go quiet, and responses like “the person who authorises payments is away” or “we’ll look into it once the team is back” become all too common. These delays might seem harmless on the surface, but they can quickly cause cash flow bottlenecks—especially for smaller businesses or those already dealing with tight margins. 

In addition, internal holidays within your own team can also create disruption. If no one’s been assigned to chase invoices or monitor payments during absences, weeks can slip by without any follow-up. By the time everyone’s back in the office, the debt has aged, and collection becomes even harder. 

Recognising this seasonal pattern is the first step. The second is applying the right credit control tips to anticipate it and stay ahead of any payment disruptions. 

3. Make Use of This Quiet Period 

The key to managing credit control during the summer? Make use of this quiet time to review your ledger. 

Begin by reviewing your aged debt report and identifying which invoices are approaching or past due. Pay close attention to customers with a track record of late payments—these are the ones most likely to disappear when the sun comes out. Prioritise chasing these accounts early and follow up consistently. 

It’s also smart to send friendly reminders before invoices are due. A polite, proactive message — “Just a quick heads-up that your invoice is due next week”—can make all the difference, especially if your client’s finance team is planning time off. Clear communication reduces the risk of your invoice getting forgotten while key staff are away. 

If you’re planning to be away yourself, make sure you’ve got a plan in place. Brief a colleague to take over credit control responsibilities, or better yet, automate what you can. Many accounting platforms allow you to schedule invoice reminders, payment confirmations, and overdue notices. With automation in place, your business keeps communicating—even when you’re not around. 

Don’t forget to let your clients know your summer schedule, too. A short message outlining how credit control will be managed during staff absences shows professionalism, and encourages clients to act before any delays creep in. 

Staying on top of unpaid invoices during the summer holidays doesn’t just protect your cash flow—it’s one of the most effective credit control tips you can put into practice this summer. 

4. Keep Communication Flowing – Even When You’re Away 

When you’re on holiday, the last thing you want is to be worrying about chasing invoices. But without a plan, that’s exactly what can happen. The solution? Make sure your credit control communication doesn’t stop just because you’re out of office. 

Start with a clear autoresponder on your email that includes more than just a generic “I’m away” message. Let contacts know who to reach for payment queries, provide due dates for invoices, and even link to your preferred payment methods. This reduces the chances of payment delays simply because someone didn’t know who to contact. 

If your business has a team, delegate credit control tasks to a colleague and brief them thoroughly before you go. Ensure they have access to all the tools, documents, and contact details they’ll need. Set expectations around how often they should follow up, and provide templates for reminder emails or call scripts to keep things consistent. 

Finally, remember that summer is also a great time to strengthen client relationships. A short, friendly message to your regular customers—letting them know you’re still around (or who to speak to if not)—goes a long way. It shows professionalism, reliability, and a commitment to keeping communication open, even when the rest of the business world is winding down. 

This is one of the more overlooked credit control tips, but it can significantly reduce payment delays caused by simple miscommunication.

5. Plan for Payment Bottlenecks 

Summer holiday absences don’t just slow things down—they can create serious payment bottlenecks if you’re not prepared. When multiple clients delay payment at the same time, the impact on your cash flow can be significant. The best defence? Planning ahead for the delays you can predict—and some you can’t. 

Start by identifying high-risk accounts. These are customers who have a history of paying late, or who require multiple reminders before settling invoices. Flag them early and begin your follow-ups well in advance of the summer peak. A polite reminder that payment will help “avoid delays over the holiday period” often prompts action. 

It also pays to ask clients about their holiday schedules. If you know when their finance team or payment approver is away, you can work backwards to set earlier due dates or nudge for payment before they disappear. Most customers will appreciate the forward planning. 

You can also offer early settlement incentives—such as small discounts or added value—for clients who pay ahead of time. It’s a win-win: you improve your cash flow, and they save money. Just be sure to balance this against your margins. 

Internally, make sure you have a clear plan for when payments don’t arrive. Who will follow up? How often? At what point do you escalate or refer to a third party? Having this framework in place ensures consistency, even if your team is reduced. 

These credit control tips are all about being proactive, not reactive—especially when the risk of bottlenecks is high. 

6. What To Do When Invoices Still Go Unpaid 

Even with the best planning, clear communication, and proactive chasing, some invoices will still go unpaid during the summer. It’s frustrating—but it’s not the end of the road. What matters is how you respond. 

First, stay professional and consistent. If an invoice becomes overdue, don’t wait. Send a firm but polite follow-up immediately, referencing previous reminders and the due date. Reiterate the payment amount, how to pay, and the importance of settling the account promptly. 

If the usual reminders don’t work, escalate your approach. Consider making a phone call—especially if you’ve only been emailing. A direct conversation often speeds things up, particularly if you can speak to someone outside of the finance team who can push it through. 

If no one is available (a common summer problem), let the client know you’ll be pausing services, charging interest (if agreed in your terms), or involving a third party if payment isn’t received by a specific date. Make sure you stick to your credit policy and remain consistent across all clients. 

At this point, it may be time to engage external support. Commercial debt recovery specialists can take over the chasing process on your behalf, preserving your time and mental energy while increasing your chances of success.

Finally, ensure you keep a record of all communication—emails, call logs, and responses. This paper trail is essential if you need to take legal action or submit a claim later on. 

Among all our credit control tips, this is the one to remember: persistence pays, but escalation is sometimes necessary. 

7. Conclusion 

Summer holidays might slow down your customers—but they don’t have to slow down your cash flow. With a proactive strategy, the right tools, and the credit control tips we’ve outlined above, you can stay one step ahead of delays and keep your business running smoothly, even when others are out of office. 

The key is to plan early, follow up consistently, and know when to escalate. Whether you’re managing credit control solo or with a team, the steps you take now will pay off in the months ahead of chasing invoices. 

At Darcey Quigley & Co, we help businesses across the UK maintain healthy cash flow all year round. If you’re facing slow payments this summer or need support with overdue invoices, our team of commercial debt recovery experts is here to help. 

Learn more about our Debt Recovery process 

If you have outstanding invoices, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team of commercial debt experts today on +44 1698 821 468 or schedule a call for a time that suits you.