8-9 WOOD STREET, CV37 6JE

What was argued and what the tribunal found

The appellant argued that the closure of Debenhams department store on the same street on 17 April 2020 constituted a material change of circumstances warranting an end allowance (initially 20%, revised to 5% at hearing) to reduce the RV from £67,500. The tribunal dismissed the appeal, finding that while Debenhams was a significant operator, the appellant failed to provide sufficient evidence of causal impact on trade, footfall, or vacancy rates; any economic decline was attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic and e-commerce growth rather than the store closure, and Stratford-Upon-Avon's tourism-driven economy made it more resilient than comparable towns where such allowances had been granted.

Summary generated from the decision text and checked against it. The appellant was SPECSAVERS OPTICAL SUPERSTORES LIMITED, represented.

Grounds argued

• Change of circumstances · decisive

Change of circumstances

anchor store closure

Evidence

Settled assessments, None from the ratepayer

Cases cited

Gardiner & Theobald LLP v David Jackson (VO) [2018] UKUT 0253 (LC); Simpsons Mall Ltd etc v Jones (VO) UKUT [2017]; Denton v TH White Ltd [2014]

Hearing

30 January 2025

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• Booksale, Waterside, CV37 6BA — Dismissed, 17 Feb 2026

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