Tribunals · Malvern Hills District Council · 2017 rating list

Laylocks Nurseries, Bromyard Road, WR6 5LP

Garden centre and premises Decided 29 November 2024 CHG100924497 Rabbette Chartered Surveyors

OutcomeAllowed in partThe tribunal reduced the rateable value, but by less than the ratepayer sought.
Original RV£58,000£30/m²
Ratepayer sought£25,000
VO conceded first£51,500−11% before the hearing
Tribunal decided£43,000£25/m²

Figures are as stated in the decision; a dash means the document does not state that figure.

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant, a small family-run garden centre, challenged the RV of £58,000, proposing £25,000 based on comparable properties and arguing that the Fair Maintainable Trade (FMT) valuation method was inappropriate for independent operators. The Valuation Officer had valued the property using turnover-based categories and reduced the RV to £51,500 during the challenge stage. The tribunal adopted a compromise position, accepting that the comparables supported a reduction but rejecting the appellant's proposed £15/m² rate as too low when compared against trading multiples at similar properties, determining an RV of £43,000 based on £25/m² for main space.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was Laylocks Garden Centre, represented.

Grounds argued

  • Rental evidence
  • Comparable assessments (tone) · decisive
  • Valuation method
  • Trading receipts (pubs, hotels)
Evidence
Settled assessments, comparable_rents, Trading accounts
Cases cited
Lotus and Delta v Culverwell; Dog & Gun Ltd (Oxenhope) v Howarth
Hearing
30 October 2024

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The tribunal’s decision in full

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