Case study:

Restaurant | Liverpool

Specialising in selling seafood products through retail outlets.

KEY
FACTS

4%
REDUCTION

BASED IN
LIVERPOOL

BACKDATED
SAVINGS
TO 1ST APRIL 2023

The Client

Our client operates a café and shop, serving the local community with a range of food, beverages, and retail products based at Duke Street, St. Helens. As a small business, managing overhead costs including business rates is crucial to maintaining profitability.

Given the competitive nature of the hospitality and retail sector, ensuring that their property valuation was accurate was a key priority to avoid unnecessary financial strain.

The Problem

The original Valuation Office Agency (VOA) assessment had overstated the size of the property, leading to an inflated rateable value (RV) of £52,500. This placed the client above the £51,000 threshold, meaning they were subject to a higher business rates multiplier.

As a result, their business rates were higher, creating added financial strain. Without a reassessment, they would have continued to overpay based on incorrect measurements.

The Solution

RVA Surveyors conducted a thorough inspection of the property and carefully remeasured the space to verify the correct figures. This highlighted errors  in the previous assessment, which had overestimated the total area. With accurate measurements, RVA submitted a ‘Check’ as part of the Check, Challenge, Appeal process to the VOA, presenting detailed evidence to support a fair reduction in the valuation.

Following the reassessment, the RV was successfully reduced from £52,500 to £50,500. This crucial adjustment meant the client’s property now fell below the £51,000 threshold, making them eligible for the lower business rates multiplier and reducing their overall tax liability.

The Outcome

The corrected valuation was accepted by the VOA, resulting in an immediate decrease in the client’s business rates. The reduction in RV not only lowered their overall tax liability but also ensured they benefited from a more favourable multiplier, leading to significant cost savings.

By securing an accurate valuation, the client’s business rates were reflective of their property.

Savings achieved: £4,751 

Surveyor comment

“Through precise remeasurement, we successfully reduced the client’s rateable value below the £51,000 threshold.”