Lender completes £755,000 hotel refinance in under a month
A bridging finance lender has completed a £755,000 refinance on an 18-bedroom hotel in Somerset less than a month after joining a lending platform, highlighting the speed at which specialist finance can be arranged for commercial property assets.
HBI Capital funded the loan through Brickflow, a lending marketplace that connects brokers with specialist finance providers. The case was introduced by Louis Wilson, commercial adviser at NM Finance, who sought to repay existing debt on the hotel property.
Existing valuation accepted
The transaction progressed rapidly in part because HBI Capital agreed to work from an existing specialist hotel valuation rather than commissioning new due diligence. This approach reduced the timeline between instruction and completion, according to those involved in the deal.
The lender’s case-by-case underwriting model allowed it to consider the hotel asset, which falls outside standard lending criteria grids. HBI Capital offers bridging, development and auction finance from £100,000 to £2 million through the marketplace.
Glenn Franklin-Jones, director of lender relations at Brickflow, said the case demonstrated how quickly new lenders can begin transacting through the platform. “NM Finance had a genuine choice of specialist lenders in front of them for this hotel refinance, and HBI Capital won the case because they were willing to work from the existing valuation instead of asking for a new one, on a deadline that didn’t leave room for that,” he said.
Marketplace model
The platform allows brokers to compare multiple lenders side by side rather than approaching specialist providers individually. HBI Capital joined the panel in July, adding its privately funded model to the marketplace’s options for properties outside conventional criteria.
John Blahuta, director at HBI Capital, said the firm was pleased to deliver certainty ahead of the borrower’s deadline. “Everyone involved took a collaborative and pragmatic approach, which helped keep the process moving from start to finish,” he noted.
Wilson said the lender provided direct access to decision-makers and a commercial approach. Glaisyers Solicitors handled the legal work, with partner Kathryn O’Rourke citing HBI Capital’s responsiveness as instrumental in maintaining momentum throughout the process.
The case comes as specialist lending continues to serve niche property sectors where traditional mortgage products may not be suitable. Qualifying loans placed with HBI Capital through Brickflow can include a free in-house valuation and dual legal representation, according to the lender.
