Commercial Specialist
Through our sister company, MB Commercial, we’re proud to offer commercial finance support alongside our residential mortgage services. James Watson is our commercial lending specialist. He is a highly experienced adviser and has been with the firm for many years.
About James Watson
I work with business owners and entrepreneurs who need funding to grow, invest in property or take their next step. Whether you’re buying business premises, funding a development project or acquiring an established business, I’ll take the time to understand your plans and help you explore suitable lending options.
No two businesses or properties are the same. Each client has different objectives, challenges and timescales, so I look at the full picture before considering what funding may be available.
Helping business owners achieve their goals
I take a hands-on, detail-focused approach, working through the complexities of each case and the criteria lenders apply. I find it rewarding to make a complicated process clearer and help clients move forward with a well-planned strategy.
Here are a few examples of clients I’ve helped:
Dog hydrotherapy business
A successful dog hydrotherapy business needed new premises after the landlord decided not to renew the lease because of redevelopment plans.
The owner had been focused on running the business and had not recently reviewed her accounts in detail. Once we gathered and assessed her financial information, we could build a clearer picture of her earnings and the borrowing that might be available to help her secure a new property.
Property development project
A client bought two neighbouring properties at auction. They needed significant renovation, and his plan was to combine them into one large home.
Although he owned the properties outright, he needed funding for the development. I arranged staged development finance, with funds released at key milestones, including the start of the building work and completion of the foundations. Once the project is finished, he plans either to sell the property or refinance it and rent it out.
Care home purchase
Four couples with different skills and experience planned to buy a care home together. They had some capital available but needed a commercial loan to cover the remaining cost of around £1.1 million.
I helped them explore funding options and present their combined industry experience to lenders.
Hair salon owner
A hairdresser had the opportunity to buy the freehold of the building where her salon operates. She was paying £1,000 a month in rent, while the flat above the salon generated a further £1,000 a month in rental income.
The estimated mortgage payment on the purchase was £1,300 a month. Buying the property gave her greater security over her business premises, while the rental income from the flat helped support the cost. Over time, she can build an asset and may be in a stronger position when she decides to retire and sell her salon.
Every project is different, and I enjoy helping clients explore how they might bring their plans to life. From purchasing business premises to funding property developments or acquiring an established business, I’ll work with you to understand your objectives and explore the options available.
If you’re a business owner, investor or entrepreneur considering commercial finance, I’d be happy to hear from you.
Please call 020 8652 5240 or email james@mbassociates.net
Find me on LinkedIn.