Tribunals · London Borough of Merton · 2017 rating list

Unit 303-304, Centre Court Shopping Centre, SW19 8ND

Shop and premises Decided 2 July 2024 CHG100746950 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£54,500from 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 sought a 7.5% allowance to rateable values for 12 retail units at Centre Court Shopping Centre following the closure of Debenhams (a major anchor store occupying 37.8% of the centre) in February 2020, arguing this caused reduced footfall and increased vacancies. The tribunal found Debenhams' departure was a material change of circumstances affecting the locality that justified an allowance, but rejected the 7.5% figure as excessive given that AFC Wimbledon subsequently occupied a vacant unit on 13 July 2020, providing a positive countervailing factor. The tribunal determined a 5% reduction was fair and reasonable, with effect from 13 July 2020 (the date of the second material change, which the tribunal found was the legally correct effective date under the regulations).

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