Tribunals · London Borough of Merton · 2017 rating list

Unit 113 Centre Court Shopping Centre, SW19 8ND

Shop and premises Decided 2 July 2024 CHG100746925 Montagu Evans - Ben Monk/BNP Real Estate

OutcomeAllowed in partThe tribunal reduced the rateable value, but by less than the ratepayer sought.

Original RV—

Ratepayer sought—

VO conceded first—

Tribunal decided£52,000from 13 Jul 2020

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure. This decision covers 13 properties; the figures shown are for the first listed.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant contended that the closure of Debenhams (an anchor store occupying 37.8% of Centre Court Shopping Centre) in February 2020 constituted a material change of circumstances warranting a 7.5% reduction in rateable values. The tribunal found that Debenhams' departure as a key tenant did result in reduced footfall and trade, causing some further unit vacancies, but determined that the consequent economic decline was partially masked by the Covid-19 pandemic and e-commerce effects. The tribunal allowed the appeals in part, reducing the rateable values by 5% (rather than the 7.5% sought) to account for the anchor store closure, with effect from 13 July 2020 (when AFC Wimbledon subsequently occupied a vacant unit), disregarding the appellant's argument for an earlier effective date.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Standard Life Assurance Ltd, represented.