Tribunals · Luton Borough Council · 2017 rating list

The White House, The Galaxy, Bridge Street, Bridge Street, LU1 2NF

Public house and premises Decided 8 January 2026 CHG101125854 BNP Real Estate - Emma Nicholson/Cluttons

OutcomeDismissedThe appeal failed, leaving the value at the figure the Valuation Officer had already conceded.
Original RV£180,000
Ratepayer sought£111,000
VO conceded first£135,500−25% before the hearing
Tribunal decided£135,500from 1 Apr 2017

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 (JD Wetherspoon) contended that the respondent's valuation had adopted an excessive wet fair maintainable turnover (FMT) of £1,070,000, arguing that declines in the locality (car park reduction, nightclub closures, changes to the drinking circuit) warranted a reduction to £850,000. The tribunal found that while the subject property's actual trade had fallen between 2008 and 2015, the adopted FMT represented a reasonable discount of approximately 38% from actual trade, and comparable properties in the vicinity supported the respondent's position. The tribunal found insufficient evidence to support the appellant's proposed reduction and dismissed the appeal, confirming the RV of £135,500.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was JD Wetherspoon, represented.

Grounds argued

  • Trading receipts (pubs, hotels)
  • Valuation method
  • Rental evidence
Evidence
Trading accounts, Rents, Settled assessments
Hearing
9 December 2025

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The tribunal’s decision in full

Download the PDF · Find it on valuationtribunal.gov.uk

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