Our work - 09/11/2022

Apple Jacks Adventure Farm

Our business rates expert, Colin Hunter, was appointed to act as Expert Witness for the owner occupier of this farm attraction in Warrington.

Find out more

The Challenge

  • The property is a diversification scheme in the middle of a 300-hundred-acre farm.
  • It offers various activities throughout the year, including tractor rides during the summer and a Spooky World at Halloween.
  • The Rateable Value was £35,000 with the owner already seeking unsuccessfully to reduce this via the Valuation Tribunal.
  • In defence of their existing Rateable Value assessment, the Valuation Office produced valuations higher than £35,000 as evidence.

Our Solution

  • We engaged in discussions with the Valuation Office, agreeing facts and evidence and the basis of the valuation.
  • Advice was provided in respect of the appropriate level of value and any offers that should be made to settle the appeal.
  • All factors to support a reduction were taken into account including: exemption for the farm land; the non-rateable capital needed to set up the attraction; the costs of repairs insurance; the risk factors affecting an open air attraction and; the specific risk factors affecting this property. 
  • We liaised with the owner’s lawyers and other advisors and produced expert reports setting out an independent opinion of value based on the accounts for the business.
  • Finally, we attended the Upper Tribunal hearing and presented evidence that showed that the Rateable Value was excessive.

Results

  • Having heard the case, the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) determined the appeal in the owner’s favour reducing the Rateable Value from £35,000 to £11,750. This was backdated to 1 April 2017.
  • In addition, the owner can now claim 100 per cent Small Business Rates Relief.
 

Get in touch

REGISTER FOR UPDATES

Get the latest insight, event invites and commercial properties by email