PROPERTY investment, development and asset management group Bluemantle has secured an £85m refinancing package.

The family-owned Alderley Edge company, which is a partner with Manchester-based ASK on the landmark 14-acre Church Wharf development in Bolton, has refinanced with three major banks, Rothschilds, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC.

Bluemantle managing director Mark Caldwell said the deal was a `great vote of confidence' in the business.

In the context of the credit crunch and the related property downturn, he said: "It also proves that despite these being difficult times, the property finance markets are still open for the right sort of business."

Bluemantle's existing investment portfolio, which is worth more than £150m, is spread over 50 properties across all sectors in the north west.

The company has a rental income of just under £9m a year.