Mera Investment Management has completed a £7.5m bridging loan to refinance an industrial and self-storage site in South East England.

The 18-month facility will give the developer time to finalise a series of sales and pre-let agreements across the site, which has already attracted interest from several major occupiers.

Plans to expand an existing lorry park and develop new warehousing and self-storage units have been well received by local businesses seeking to scale their operations.

The borrower is a longstanding contact of Mera’s and brings four decades of experience across multiple asset classes.

The transaction was not without its challenges. Title restrictions added a layer of complexity, requiring a bespoke approach to risk mitigation.

Edward Matthews (pictured), chief executive of Mera Investment Management, said: “It is exciting to close this deal with a valued developer partner who I have had the opportunity to work with before.

“There were complexities to this transaction, including title restrictions, that required a specialist understanding of the risks involved.

“Our expertise, coupled with the existing relationship with the client, meant that we could mitigate these complications and provide a timely solution.”

Mera’s latest transaction highlights its continued appetite to lend against alternative asset classes, with the firm actively targeting opportunities in the self-storage, automotive and roadside sectors.

“The lender views these sectors as high-growth areas and intends to allocate more capital to similar projects.

Founded with the backing of a family office and supported by a mix of institutional and international private investors, Mera Investment Management provides finance for prime real estate across commercial, residential and alternative sectors.

“Its lending footprint covers London and the Home Counties, as well as major regional hubs and emerging markets across England and Wales.