Bubble Tap Limited, 22 Lion Yard, Unit 51, Unit 51, CB2 3NA

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant, operating as Bubble Tap Ltd from 22 Lion Yard, Cambridge, argued the rateable value of £44,750 was excessive and sought £20,000 based on their new lease rent of £12,000 per annum. The appellant contended the property was located outside the main shopping centre with lower rents, and that comparable properties were rented by national chains at inflated rates not representative of independent businesses. The tribunal applied the Lotus and Delta v Culverwell principles, finding the appellant's lease (commenced November 2017, over two years after the antecedent valuation date) was not sufficiently reliable standing alone, but the Valuation Officer's basket of comparable properties supported a zone A rate of £1,225/m² as reasonable for properties outside the main centre, and the resulting RV did not seem excessive when compared to other units in the shopping centre.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Bubble Tap Ltd, represented.

Grounds argued

• Comparable assessments (tone) · decisive
• Rental evidence
• Change of circumstances

Evidence

Rents, Photographs

Cases cited

Lotus and Delta v Culverwell

Hearing

12 May 2022

Similar decisions

• 14, GREEN STREET, CB2 3JU — Allowed in part, 20 Aug 2025

All decisions in Cambridge City Council · Shops nationally