- Loan amount: £234,000
- Day one funding: £174,000
- GDV: £430,000
- Term: 12 months
- Light Development – Purchase and works
- Completion time – 46 days
Roma Finance has successfully completed a bridging loan to support the transformation of a high-street traditional sweet shop into a dynamic mix of retail and residential space. The project located on Montague Street in Worthing town centre, demonstrates the potential of combining both commercial and residential elements to breathe new life into the high street.Once a traditional retail unit, the property has been converted into a two-bedroom flat above a vibrant commercial space. The commercial tenancy has been maintained with the original sweet shop, ensuring the area maintains an essence of local business while benefiting from new residential opportunities.
The two-bed apartment above the shop is being used as serviced accommodation to support the town’s tourism industry.
Our borrower is a construction company owner, who personally oversaw the renovation, bringing expertise and hands-on experience to the table. They ensured that the community had a say in what business would be put in the retail unit. The community suggested the return of the confectioners Mr Simms, so the borrower contacted the confectioners asking if they would like a new lease. This blend of residential and commercial investment is testament to how developers, communities, and retailers collaborate to rejuvenate the heart of towns and cities.
Jahanzeb Habib, Business Development Executive at Roma Finance, shares his enthusiasm: “This project was a pleasure to support. The borrower’s vision of merging both commercial and residential properties is an inspiring example of how high streets can be revitalised. It’s wonderful to see these types of initiatives that not only preserve local businesses, but contribute to the wider regeneration of urban spaces.”
The borrowers commented on this rewarding project “Working on this project with Roma, I knew we had a shared goal. To bring value and rejuvenation to the British high street I wanted to develop something that would benefit the community and local economy. I am immensely proud of this project, and the help and support from Roma was nothing short of first-class”
This project represents a forward-thinking approach to creating sustainable, mixed-use spaces that cater to the needs of today’s urban populations.
This project came to Roma in January 2024 and was completed in February 2025.
