Flexible Business Finance
Need quick access to funds for a time-sensitive business opportunity?
Perhaps you’re looking to buy commercial property, cover unexpected costs, or manage cash flow gaps.
Business bridging finance could be your answer.
At Bridging Finance London, we arrange business bridging loans for companies needing fast capital.
With connections to over 250 lenders, including specialist lenders, private banks and wealthy individuals, we find competitive rates and flexible terms for businesses throughout the UK.
Expert finance advice
tailored to you
Quality service
Fast, friendly and professional service.
Lender Choice
Over 250 Banks, Hedge Funds, Family Offices & more.
Experience
Over 15 years of specialist finance broking.
Bespoke Lending
Finance tailored specifically to meet your needs.
What Is Business Bridging Finance?
Business bridging finance is short-term funding.
The debt is secured against property or assets, and designed to fill financial gaps until a longer-term solution is in place.
Bridging finance is quick to arrange. Funds can be secured in as little as 7-10 days – perfect when time is of the essence.
These loans start from £150,000 with terms between 3-24 months.
The quick application and flexible criteria make bridging finance a popular choice for businesses needing rapid access to capital.
Many business owners will turn to commercial finance when they need to borrow money.
The key difference between bridging loans and commercial mortgages is their purpose and timeline.
Commercial mortgages suit long-term property ownership over many years, while bridging loans provide immediate capital for shorter periods, giving you breathing space to arrange long-term financing or meet your business goals.
And bridging finance can be in place within 7-10 days.
Let’s Talk!
First & Second Charge Bridging Loans
Bridging loans require a property to secure the loan against, the same principal as a mortgage. This could be a property that you occupy, or another that you or your business own.
The most common types of legal charge are first and second. Here’s a brief explanation.
First charge
First charge bridging loans are secured against property with no existing finance.
If you own a property outright, a first charge loan will be the primary financial claim against it.
Your lender will use a first charge if you are buying a property, or raising finance against one that is unencumbered.
Being ‘first’ is a lender’s preference.
Second charge
Second charge bridging loans are secured against property that already has existing finance, such as a commercial mortgage.
This still lets you access equity in your property but without disrupting your current arrangements.
Second charge loans come with slightly higher interest rates but they’re extremely useful when you want to raise some quick funds without upsetting the existing mortgage or loan.
What types of security do lenders accept?
Most business bridging loans are secured against property assets, with lenders accepting:
- Commercial property (offices, retail units, industrial buildings)
- Mixed-use properties (e.g., shops with flats above)
- Residential investment properties
- Land (with or without planning permission)
- Development sites
The property type affects both the available loan-to-value ratio and the interest rate.
Standard commercial property typically allows up to 70-75% LTV, while more specialised properties or land might be limited to 50-60% LTV.
Some lenders also consider additional security such as other property assets, high-value equipment, or personal guarantees to support applications.
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How Businesses Use Bridging Finance
Business bridging finance offers remarkable versatility. Our clients use it for:
- Business debt consolidation – restructuring finances for better cash flow
- Property acquisition – especially for auction purchases or when sellers need quick completion
- Time-sensitive opportunities – when missing out means losing a competitive edge
- Working capital – to support operations during cash flow gaps
- Business expansion – funding new premises, equipment or stock ahead of longer-term finance
- Tax liability payments – covering unexpected or large tax bills
- Property refurbishment – improving commercial premises to boost value
- Breaking property chains – moving forward with purchases when sales are delayed
The common thread is speed and flexibility – bridging finance gives you quick access to capital when standard financing options would simply take too long.
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Commercial Property Purchases
Commercial property acquisition is one of the most common uses for business bridging finance.
When you need to move quickly – perhaps for an auction purchase or to secure a property before competitors – a bridging loan delivers results.
The process typically follows this pattern:
- You identify a commercial property opportunity requiring quick action
- We help arrange bridging finance, often within 1-2 weeks
- You complete the purchase using the bridging loan
- During the loan term, you either sell the property or arrange long-term financing
- The bridging loan is repaid from the sale proceeds or refinancing
This approach gives you the speed of a cash buyer without needing the full purchase price upfront. It’s especially effective for properties that need work before qualifying for traditional commercial mortgages.
Supporting Business Cash Flow
Cash flow challenges affect even the most successful businesses.
Seasonal changes, unexpected costs, or delayed customer payments can create temporary funding gaps that threaten your operations or growth plans.
Business bridging loans provide essential working capital during these periods, helping you:
- Meet payroll obligations
- Pay suppliers to maintain good relationships
- Cover operational costs during quiet periods
- Take advantage of bulk-buying opportunities
- Bridge the gap between completing work and receiving payment
Using property as security typically allows for larger loan amounts than unsecured business loans, giving you more financial flexibility when you need it most.
How We Work With You
At Bridging Finance London, we take a personal approach to arranging business bridging finance.
When you contact us, you’ll work with a dedicated adviser who specialises in business finance.
They’ll take time to understand your specific needs, timescales, and goals before suggesting potential solutions.
We search the market, using our relationships with more than 250 lenders – from high street banks to private lenders and individuals who lend their own money.
Your adviser handles the negotiations on your behalf, saving you time and hassle. We manage the application process from start to finish, working with valuers, solicitors, and lenders to keep everything moving forward.
Our expertise in presenting applications effectively helps secure approval for even complex cases.
We’ve helped numerous businesses get funding when direct lender approaches had failed.
Eligibility
Business bridging finance is available to a wide range of UK companies and business entities, including:
- Investors
- Limited companies
- Partnerships
- Sole traders
- LLPs
- SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles)
- Property developers
The primary consideration for lenders is the quality of the security and the viability of your exit strategy.
For business purposes, you’ll typically need:
- A minimum loan of £150,000
- Property or assets to secure against
- A clear, viable exit strategy for repayment
- Sufficient equity in the security property (usually at least 25-30%)
While your credit history is important, it’s not necessarily a deal-breaker.
Many of our lenders take a practical view, focusing more on the current situation and future plans rather than historical credit issues.
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Exit Strategy Planning
The exit strategy – how you plan to repay the loan – is perhaps the most important element of any bridging finance application.
A clear, realistic repayment plan gives lenders confidence and can help secure better rates.
Common exit strategies include:
- Refinancing to longer-term finance – such as a commercial mortgage once the property meets lender criteria
- Property sale – repaying from the proceeds when a property is sold
- Business income – using trading profits to repay the loan
- Equity release – from other business or personal assets
- External funding – such as investment rounds, asset sales, or other incoming capital
Whatever your planned exit, lenders will want evidence that it’s achievable within the loan timeframe. This might include mortgage agreements in principle, property marketing strategies, or business financial projections.
Planning Your Repayment Approach
Creating a solid exit strategy requires careful thought about timing, market conditions, and potential challenges.
When planning your exit, consider:
- Realistic timeframes – Allow for potential delays, particularly with property sales or refinancing
- Market conditions – Think about how property market changes might impact your strategy
- Backup options – Have alternative plans if your primary exit strategy faces obstacles
- Documentation – Gather evidence supporting your strategy’s viability
We work closely with you to develop a persuasive exit plan that satisfies lenders while protecting your interests. This might include arranging refinancing options in advance or structuring the loan to match your business cash flow patterns.
Remember that commercial bridging finance works best as a short-term solution. The clearer your path to repayment, the better your terms are likely to be.
Why Choose Bridging Finance London?
Arranging the right business bridging finance requires specialist experience and expertise.
Here’s why businesses across the UK trust Bridging Finance London.
- Extensive lender access – We work with over 250 lenders, from mainstream banks to private individuals, many of whom don’t deal directly with the public
- Specialist knowledge – Our team understands the nuances of business bridging finance and can structure deals to meet your specific needs
- Complex case expertise – We regularly succeed where others have failed, finding solutions for challenging situations
- Independent advice – We work for you, not the lenders, ensuring you get the best possible deal
- End-to-end support – From initial enquiry to completion and beyond, we manage the entire process
- Speed and efficiency – Our streamlined processes and lender relationships mean faster completion times
- No upfront fees – We only charge when we successfully arrange your finance
Our commitment to finding the right solution rather than just the easiest one has earned us an excellent reputation among UK businesses needing specialist finance solutions.
Our Business Bridging Finance Expertise
Our team brings decades of combined experience in specialist finance, with particular expertise in business bridging loans. We understand the unique challenges businesses face when seeking quick finance and have developed strategies to overcome common obstacles.
Our expertise extends beyond just arranging loans – we provide valuable advice on structuring finance to achieve your business objectives while minimising costs and risks.
This might involve combining bridging with other finance types or planning the transition to long-term funding from the start.
Our goal is long-term relationships built on trust and successful outcomes.
Speak to a Bridging Finance Specialist
Ready to explore your business bridging finance options?
The next step is to speak with one of our specialist advisers. We offer a no-obligation initial consultation to understand your requirements and outline potential solutions.
We provide honest, practical advice – if bridging finance isn’t right for your situation, we’ll tell you and suggest more suitable alternatives.
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