Specialist commercial mortgage broker for businesses in the Royal Borough of Greenwich

Tourism is a growing part of the local economy. Wikipedia records that 18.5 million people were expected to visit the borough in 2015, generating over £1.2 billion, drawn by the Cutty Sark, the Royal Observatory, The O2, the London Cable Car, Eltham Palace, Charlton House and the Thames Barrier. A 452-room InterContinental Hotel opened near The O2 in 2015, and the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich has begun promoting itself as a visitor attraction.

For smaller companies that creates demand for cafes, restaurants, pubs, guest houses and gift and specialist shops, especially around Greenwich town centre and the riverside. Away from the visitor areas, trades, workshops, clinics and offices serve the residential districts. Hospitality businesses are assessed as trading businesses, at an indicative 7.0 to 9.0% a year, subject to status, accounts and valuation. Our page on business mortgages explains how the business and the building are assessed together.

Wikipedia describes Woolwich as a historic military and industrial centre now undergoing major regeneration, and the borough as a mix of heritage districts, established suburbs and large waterfront redevelopment zones. New schemes bring new ground-floor commercial units, and older buildings in conservation areas or near the World Heritage Site may carry listing or planning restrictions that a lender's solicitor will want to review.

Transport is unusually varied. Woolwich is served by the Elizabeth line, Abbey Wood by both the Elizabeth line and Southeastern, and the DLR runs to Cutty Sark, Greenwich, Deptford Bridge, Elverson Road and Woolwich Arsenal. North Greenwich, near The O2, is the borough's only Underground station, on the Jubilee line. Thames Clippers run from Woolwich to Canary Wharf and the City, and the Woolwich Ferry links the North and South Circular roads. A lender weighs that access when it values a building.

Lenders active in owner-occupier lending generally advance 70 to 75% of the lower of price and valuation at an indicative 6.0 to 7.5% a year over 5 to 25 years, subject to status, accounts and valuation. Arrangement fees are usually 1 to 2%. Greenwich is in England, so SDLT is payable at 0% up to £150,000, 2% from £150,001 to £250,000 and 5% above £250,000 on non-residential property (HMRC, rates as at October 2026; check the current rates before you buy).

Illustrative example. A cafe company buys the freehold of a corner building in a Greenwich district centre for £600,000. A 75% loan is £450,000, leaving a £150,000 deposit. SDLT is £19,500, so the business needs roughly £169,500 in cash before legal and valuation fees. The stamp duty guide shows the bands.

The local council is Greenwich London Borough Council, which meets in Woolwich Town Hall and acts as the planning authority. Its records confirm the lawful use of a building, and in a borough with a World Heritage Site and many historic buildings the planning and listing position can affect what a business can change. A shop with flats above counts as semi-commercial, typically funded up to 75% loan to value.

Whoever lends will register a first legal charge over the Greenwich property at HM Land Registry and may also ask the directors for guarantees. Commercial lending to a limited company is unregulated and falls outside the FCA's regulated mortgage perimeter. Where a deal would be regulated, for example lending to a sole trader or individual, or a property where the borrower or a close family member will live in part of it, we refer it to an appropriately authorised firm. Our London business mortgages page covers the neighbouring boroughs, including Bexley.