Insider Media Limited

The East Midlands deals market is "very slowly reawakening from an enforced slumber", according to Nic Rotton of Nottingham-based Strata Finance. He told Insider there has been little change in activity in the market from 2010.

Rotton, director at Strata, said: "I think the general feeling is that purchasers and vendors are testing the markets for a sense of what is available and whether potential deals can be structured at 'sensible' terms for all. At the same time, funders themselves are perhaps opening their doors just a crack to see what deals are available and the terms being requested.

"In my view, there is little change from 2010, although the market is very slowly reawakening from an enforced slumber."

Rotton said there is trend in the market of new funders coming forward to plug a lending gap.

He said: "With all this trepidation, we are seeing some interesting movements around the edges of the market, with new lenders coming forward focused on funding the gap. These new lenders are coming to market cautiously, so as not to overtrade and to fine tune their offering. They are very much private investor-backed and are operating in small niches, coming to market through specialist sourcing arrangements.

"This way they keep front end costs low and have a strong eye on quality control throughout.

"My hope is these funders will provide the impetus for firstly the mainstream to open their doors a little wider and also for new groups to enter the market."