Entrepreneur receives niche bank's backing in renovating former RAF station Bawtry Hall

Cambridge & Counties, the niche property bank, has once again backed an entrepreneur who is developing Bawtry Hall in South Yorkshire.

Back in 2014, the specialist bank funded the original purchase of the former country house by Jason Cooper and its first phases of renewal.

Cambridge & Counties is now supporting Mr Cooper for second time by agreeing the equity release of £1.3m, which will be invested in the ongoing refurbishment of Bawtry Hall.

The 50,000 sq ft Bawtry Hall previously served the Royal Air Force from 1941 to 1984: first as HQ for No.1 Group, Bomber Command during and after the Second World War; then as Strike Command HQ up to and including the later stages of the Cold War.

The bombing of the airfield at Port Stanley by Vulcan bombers during the Falklands War was co-ordinated from the operations room at Bawtry Hall.

Since acquiring Bawtry Hall for £1.65m, Mr Cooper has carried out a substantial renovation programme. The Hall now has 20 businesses working out of its offices and the 15 luxury residential apartments are fully let.

The next wave of renovation comprises eight more apartments and there is a waiting list of occupiers keen to move in. Following the apartments, Bawtry Hall is also set to become a luxury wedding venue in 2018.

The whole property is now valued in excess of £7m.

Mr Cooper said: “Cambridge & Counties Bank and the team I work with – Adam Jolley, Simon Lindley and Mike Kirsopp – have always been very straightforward, pragmatic and highly supportive of our ambitions for Bawtry Hall.

“I have found when Cambridge & Counties agree to fund a deal, the deal gets done in record time and on the exact terms that were agreed. We are looking to continue to grow that relationship in the future.”

Adam Jolley, business development manager for Cambridge & Counties, added: “We have been very impressed with the property and with Jason as a client. Playing our part in the future of Bawtry Hall is an exciting prospect as its redevelopment continues.”

Legal work was completed in-house at Cambridge & Counties by Sally Smith. The valuer was Martin Nicholson at Nicholson & Co. Jason Cooper was originally introduced to Cambridge & Counties by Andy Churchill of Real Property Finance.