We arrange commercial mortgages in Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea for business owners buying their own premises, investors buying let commercial property, and owners of shops with flats above. We are based on Havelock Road, a few minutes' walk from the station.
Hastings has several distinct commercial areas. The town centre around Queens Road, Robertson Street and Priory Meadow is the main retail core. The Old Town's High Street and George Street are full of independent shops, cafés and pubs, many in listed buildings. In St Leonards, Norman Road and Kings Road have a growing mix of independent businesses, and the seafront has hotels, guest houses and restaurants.
For industrial and trade premises, the main locations are the Castleham, Churchfields and Ponswood estates and the Queensway business area. The Queensway Gateway Road, which links the A21 to Queensway, opened its final section in September 2025, improving access to business land on the edge of town.
A lot of Hastings commercial property is semi-commercial: a shop or café at street level with a flat or maisonette above. Lenders treat these differently depending on the split between commercial and residential space and whether the flat has its own entrance. Listed buildings in the Old Town and conservation areas can also need specialist valuation.
Commercial mortgages are not one product. We arrange commercial finance for:
Hospitality businesses, guest houses and seafront hotels are specialist cases. Lenders look closely at trading history and seasonality, and fewer of them lend on licensed premises, so it pays to approach the right ones first.
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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 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 at 17 Havelock Road in Hastings and can visit you at home or at your business around Hastings and Bexhill, or talk by phone or video.
We explain our fee and how we are paid before any work starts. Contact us or call 01424 444597 for an initial chat.
Yes. That is a semi-commercial or mixed-use property, and there are lenders that specialise in it. The terms depend on the balance of commercial and residential space, the lease of any shop tenant and the condition of the building.
We can. Listed and period commercial buildings can take longer to value and some lenders are cautious, but many are happy to lend with the right survey. We will tell you early whether a building is likely to be a problem.
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.
Generally, no. Commercial mortgages are usually unregulated. 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.
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.
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.
