Digital bank OakNorth has provided a £6 million loan to Gatehouse Hub to support the development of 19 industrial logistics units and a wellness centre on the outskirts of Burgess Hill, West Sussex. The project aims to enhance the local economy and meet growing demand for quality commercial spaces in the South East region.

The development, led by Bedford Park Developments, will consist of 43,487 square feet of industrial logistics space and a 6,458 square foot wellness centre located at Gatehouse Lane, Hassocks. The site is part of the Northern Arc extension to Burgess Hill, which includes a range of new commercial, trade, research, and residential schemes. This initiative is likely to attract attention at upcoming real estate networking events in West Sussex, highlighting investment opportunities in the area.

Ben Ellis, Director of Gatehouse Hub and Bedford Park Developments, commented: “We’re excited to be bringing this development to the West Sussex region thanks to the funding and support of OakNorth. Marc and the team were highly communicative, proactive, and thorough, providing regular updates and constructive feedback. We enjoyed the experience of meeting Credit Committee and having the opportunity to discuss our project directly with the decision makers. This is not something we’ve ever experienced with other lenders, so was a truly unique and refreshing part of the funding journey.”

The project was introduced to OakNorth by Martin Betts, a commercial finance specialist at Neon Finance. The collaboration between these firms could serve as a case study for professionals seeking networking tips property-related ventures in the South East, demonstrating effective partnership and financing strategies.

Marc Busbridge Simo, Associate Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “Ben has been able to maximise on the positive industry trends, successfully securing planning permission for a flexible and design-focused local business hub which will have a material beneficial impact to the local community/area, and address the significant demand supply imbalance facing local SMEs. It’s great to see that the team has already pre-sold or pre-let several units – a clear indication of the strong local market demand and design-led product that Ben and the team will be delivering.”

This development may also be discussed at construction networking events in Burgess Hill, where industry professionals can explore potential collaborations and learn more about successful funding approaches within the UK’s dynamic property sector.

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