Tribunals · London Borough of Merton · 2017 rating list

Unit 225, Centre Court Shopping Centre, SW19 8ND

Shop and premises Decided 2 July 2024 CHG100746958 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 proposed a 7.5% reduction in 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, citing material change of circumstances. The tribunal found the closure of Debenhams did have a detrimental impact on footfall and trade at the centre, but limited the allowance to 5% rather than the sought 7.5%, because subsequent occupation by AFC Wimbledon in July 2020 (before the material date of 17 July 2020) represented a positive factor offsetting some of the negative impact, and COVID-19 factors masked other vacancy causes. The effective date was fixed at 13 July 2020 (when AFC Wimbledon began occupation), not 1 February 2020.

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