John Gandys, 23 Gandy Street, EX4 3LS

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant company argued that the rateable value should be £50,500 based on a Fair Maintainable Trade of £525,000 (with a 10% discount for overtrading), a Category 2 designation, and a lower banding percentage of 9.71%, citing the impact of the Guildhall Casual Dining Centre opening in Autumn 2016. The Tribunal upheld the Valuation Officer's assessment of £68,700 based on an FMT of £590,000 at 11.65%, finding that the property as a city centre pub should be valued as Category 1, that the operator's profit levels did not evidence overtrading requiring discount, and that any material change from the dining centre occurred between the antecedent and compilation dates, with trade figures not supporting a lower valuation.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was South Devon Inns Ltd, represented.

Grounds argued

• Trading receipts (pubs, hotels)
• Valuation method
• Change of circumstances

Change of circumstances

retail center opening

Evidence

Trading accounts, Earlier tribunal decisions, Expert report

Cases cited

Lotus and Delta Ltd v Culverwell; Sharp v Griffiths; Jack in the Green

Hearing

13 January 2021