Access Financial Services has arranged a £455,000 hybrid bridge loan for a first-time hotel buyer, allowing the borrower to complete the purchase in two weeks and begin operating the business while building sector experience.
The deal was put together by broker Tom Wall for a client with no direct background in hotel operations, but with experience in the wider buy-to-let market.
According to Access FS, the borrower wanted funding that would provide enough time to run the hotel and gain operational experience before moving onto a longer-term commercial mortgage.
The case was structured with a specialist lender using a hybrid facility combining elements of bridging finance and buy-to-let lending. Access FS said this gave the borrower a more suitable route to exit than a standard bridging loan.
The lender took account of the applicant’s wider property experience, business plan and the hotel’s trading prospects. Access FS said underwriting also considered financial forecasts and the property’s online ratings as part of the assessment of demand and viability.
Completion was achieved in two weeks, with the loan agreed at 65% loan-to-value.
Nick Jones, mortgage sales and marketing director at Access FS, says: “This case demonstrates the value of specialist products and flexible underwriting when supporting clients stepping into new sectors.
“By working closely with the lender, we were able to align the finance precisely with the borrower’s long-term plans, turning what could have been a challenging proposition into a smooth and successful acquisition.”
He adds: “The deal highlights Access FS’s expertise in navigating complex commercial and specialist lending scenarios, connecting clients with innovative solutions to achieve their property goals — even in unfamiliar territories like hospitality investment.
“It’s also a mark of our ambitions. We’re actively recruiting as we look to grow our specialist adviser base.”
The case points to continued appetite among specialist lenders to consider hospitality transactions where borrowers can show relevant wider property experience and a credible exit strategy, even without a direct track record in the sector.
For brokers, it is also a reminder that hybrid structures can offer an alternative where a client needs short-term flexibility but is working towards a more conventional commercial refinance.
