Acorn Commercial Desk · Leisure, Sports & Entertainment
Bespoke commercial finance for Health Clubs, Padel Tennis Arenas, Trampoline Parks, and Family Entertainment Centres. Up to 75% LTV for owner-occupiers, plus asset finance for specialist court and equipment fit-outs.
Prefer to talk? 0207 959 3882
Leisure Sector Funding
From subscription gyms and Padel conversions to high-eaves adventure parks and pay-and-play family entertainment centres.
Independent health clubs, CrossFit boxes, yoga studios, and 24/7 franchise gyms.
Indoor Padel clubs, tennis centres, and squash courts (frequently requiring industrial warehouse conversions).
Bouldering centres, indoor skydiving, and trampoline arenas requiring significant internal height (eaves).
Bowling alleys, laser tag venues, indoor golf simulators, and soft play centres.
Core Underwriting Drivers
Three levers drive leisure pricing: revenue stability, planning consent, and how the fit-out is funded alongside the building.
Lenders assess revenue stability. Gyms with contracted Direct Debit memberships (MRR) often secure lower interest rates due to predictable cashflow. Pay-and-play venues (like bowling or soft play) are underwritten on trailing 12-month EBITDA and seasonal footfall data.
Many leisure venues are housed in converted industrial warehouses. Ensuring correct planning consent—typically Class E(d) for indoor sport/fitness, or Sui Generis for larger entertainment venues—is critical for securing a commercial mortgage and protecting the asset's valuation.
Leisure properties are capital intensive. A £1M warehouse might need £300k in Padel courts, HVAC systems, or gym equipment. We arrange the commercial mortgage for the bricks-and-mortar while simultaneously securing asset finance (Hire Purchase/Leasing) for the internal fit-out.
Interactive Tool
Model your commercial mortgage, fit-out asset finance, combined capital package and debt service coverage based on EBITDA.
Primary Revenue Model
Subscription venues with contracted memberships usually secure sharper pricing than pay-and-play operations. Fit-out is funded on asset finance over 5 years at an indicative 8.50%.
Subscription / Memberships: mortgage over 20 years at an indicative 6.75% (£5,703/mo), plus fit-out finance over 5 years (£5,539/mo) — total £11,242/mo against £220,000 EBITDA.
Request Leisure Finance Pre-ApprovalIndicative illustration only. Leisure assets require a specialist RICS valuation, planning check and full lender underwrite. Actual LTVs, rates and terms depend on covenant strength, planning use class, trading performance and borrower profile.
Acorn Finance is a specialist credit broker authorised and regulated by the FCA (#660207), not a tax advisory firm or accountant. Leisure property acquisitions, SIPP/SSAS commercial pension purchases, Capital Allowances on specialised sporting fit-outs (courts, HVAC, sprung flooring), VAT on commercial property, and OpCo/PropCo corporate structures carry complex legal and tax implications. The information provided on this page is designed to highlight key structural concepts so you can lead an informed discussion with your qualified accountant or tax specialist.
Knowledge & Next Steps
The shell buildings most leisure operators convert — up to 80% LTV.
How your pension can own the leisure premises and receive rent tax-free.
Replace rent with balance-sheet equity in your own venue.
Freehold pubs, restaurants and food-led leisure concepts.
Frequently Asked Questions