Commercial property in Brighton
Brighton's commercial property is unusually varied for a city of its size. The Lanes and North Laine are packed with independent shops, cafés and bars, many with flats above. Churchill Square and Western Road are the main shopping streets, and London Road has seen steady change with new independent businesses. Around the station and the New England Quarter there is office space used by digital and creative firms.
Industrial and trade premises are concentrated in areas such as Hollingbury and Moulsecoomb, with more on the Lewes Road corridor. The seafront and Brighton Marina have hospitality and leisure businesses, and the universities create demand for purpose-built student housing and larger shared houses.
Many Brighton deals are mixed-use: a ground-floor shop with flats above, often in a conservation area. Planning matters, because use classes, Article 4 directions and listed building status can all affect what a lender will accept. We work out which lenders are comfortable with the building before you commit to costly surveys.
Commercial finance we arrange in Brighton
Commercial mortgages are not one product. We arrange commercial finance for:
- Owner-occupied premises: the business that trades from the building is the borrower.
- Let investments: the rent and the tenant's lease carry most of the weight.
- Semi-commercial property: part residential and part commercial, often a high-street shop with living space above.
- HMOs and multi-unit freehold blocks: residential income, but often assessed in a commercial way.
Large HMOs with seven or more occupants are often financed on commercial terms, and the city-wide planning rules on HMOs mean lenders look carefully at the lawful use.
Speak to a friendly, expert Mortgage Adviser about your unique mortgage needs.
We'll search 1000s of products for the best mortgage and present our advice to you.
Your Adviser will complete your application, liaise with the lender and you, keep you informed until completion.
What commercial lenders look at
Commercial lenders weigh up the borrower, the property and the income. Trading businesses usually need recent accounts showing that profit comfortably covers the repayments. Investors need leases, rent and tenant details, and lenders will look at how long is left on each lease. The property type matters too: some lenders avoid licensed premises, specialist buildings or properties with a single, unusual use.
Deposits are typically larger than for a home, often 25% to 40%. If timing is tight or the property needs work before a mortgage lender will consider it, bridging finance can be used and then refinanced. Pension-funded purchases through a SIPP or SSAS are possible for some business owners, with specialist pension advice.
Commercial mortgage advice in Brighton
Commercial cases rarely fit a template, so we start by understanding the business and the building. We are directly authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 925926) and rated 5.0 stars from 109 Google reviews. We are based in Hastings and most Brighton clients work with us by phone or video, with documents uploaded securely; you are also welcome at our Hastings office.
We explain our fee and how we are paid before any work starts. Contact us or call 01424 444597 for an initial chat.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a commercial mortgage on a North Laine shop with a flat above?
Yes, through a semi-commercial lender. They will look at the shop lease and tenant, the flat's rent or your plans for it, and the building's condition. Listed or conservation-area buildings can take longer to value.
Do you arrange finance for Brighton offices?
Yes, for both owner-occupiers and investors. Lenders look at the tenant, lease length and the local office market, as well as your own finances.
How long does a commercial mortgage take?
It is usually longer than a residential mortgage, often several weeks to a few months, because of commercial valuations and legal work on leases and title. If timing is tight, bridging finance may be an option.
How much deposit do I need for a commercial mortgage?
Typically 25% to 40% of the value, depending on the property, the business and whether you will occupy it or let it. Stronger cases can sometimes borrow more. We will give you a realistic figure once we know the details.
Important: Commercial mortgages are generally not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. If you or a close family member will live in at least 40% of the property, the loan may be regulated and we will tell you which applies. Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a loan secured on it.
Transparent Mortgage Services is a trading style of Transparent Financial Associates Limited, which is directly authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 925926). 17 Havelock Road, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1BP. Telephone 01424 444597.
