Our client has been operating a successful customer retail and service business from rented accommodation for the last 15 years, in a village location in the Midlands. 

Like most business owners the COVID pandemic forced the clients to act quickly with commercial decisions to adapt their business so they could continue to thrive. It therefore made complete business sense to stop renting, and purchase premises to trade from, to further strengthen the business.

When the opportunity arose to purchase the property next door, which has been vacant for around 5 years, the client spoke to Genie Lending straight away. Knowledge of the area, with a current client base and proven track record stood to strengthen the proposition. Furthermore, the property itself is a large space with an unused takeaway and restaurant on the ground floor and a huge 8 bedroom flat above.

Our client could see beyond the repairs that were required and the possible potential in the property. They approached it with a clear commercial plan, keeping their business goals in mind, whilst also seeing the opportunity for portfolio expansion. Through splitting the ground floor commercial space into a takeaway (to let out), and retail unit to move their existing business into (subject to local authority consents). They would then look to gain planning to convert the 8 bedroom flat, into four 2 bedroom flats which can be let to generate further income.

To attain the finance, our Genie Lending dedicated Case Manager worked closely with the client over the many complexities to attain the required funding. Our experienced Case Manager guided the client through the hurdles that they would face for example, with no planning in place to split the commercial element, or to convert the flats, a long term commercial mortgage is not possible. Secondly, development lenders will not lend if planning is not in place, and should they try and obtain planning before purchasing they run the risk of the vendor increasing the purchase price! Also counter to their application, was the poor condition of the property. Main stream bridging lenders were concerned that this could lead to unforeseen expense, that would be detrimental to the loan repayments.

Genie Lending were able to overcome all of this, and accomplish a bridging facility with a flexible independent lender, who could also see the potential in the property. Having visited the property personally, and obtained specialist reports, the lender was able to provide a funding facility to support the purchase, and moreover, when planning is in place will assist with the development finance.

Once fully developed the client will be able to refinance the whole building on to a long term mortgage. In doing this, our client will have an increased income from the takeaway and the accommodation rental of the flats, thus meaning that they will no longer have to pay rent on their own retail business!

If your business has found funding difficult to obtain you can trust Genie Lending to go to every extent to provide the correct finance quickly, for the result you want. As well as the household names in the industry we have access to proven lending sources who you will not find on the high street. Our aim is to help UK SME’s obtain funding for all their business requirements, whether that be growth, acquiring premises, paying HMRC liabilities or simply working capital. Genie Lending can assist with complete finance solutions.