Case study:

Toys Supplier | South West 

Specialising in toys and games. They operate in the specialist retail sector, likely selling collectibles, action figures, and other character-based merchandise.

KEY
FACTS

ELEVEN MONTHS 
ACHIEVED IN

£5,239 
SAVINGS

Retail
PROPERTY TYPE

The Client

Our client located at Broadmead Gallery, Bristol, operates within a shopping centre, surrounded by numerous retail units.

Their retail shop provides character entertainment services, often for events such as children’s parties, corporate events, and other special occasions. They typically offer appearances by costumed characters, which can range from popular cartoon and movie characters

The Problem

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) initially assessed the client’s business rates at £400 per square metre. We determined that this valuation was excessive when compared to similar retail units in the same shopping centre.

Our team identified a potential overvaluation of their premises. However, challenging this assessment posed difficulties. Shopping centres have a wide range of rental values influenced by factors such as unit size, footfall, and location within the centre. Some units naturally warrant higher business rates due to their position, while others should receive lower assessments based on accessibility and visibility. Given these inconsistencies, we needed to provide strong, comparable evidence to support our case.

The Solution

RVA Surveyors conducted a thorough inspection and provided a detailed analysis, examining comparable rental values for other units within the Grand Arcade shopping centre. The inspection highlighted  how their locations within the centre impacted rental rates, ensuring that any discrepancies were accounted for.

Using this evidence, we submitted a ‘Challenge‘ of the Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process to the VOA, arguing that the price per square metre should be reduced from £400 to £300. Our submission detailed the inconsistencies in valuation across similar units and demonstrated why the client’s property had been overvalued.

The Outcome

This successful challenge led to a significant reduction in the client’s business rates liability. By securing a lower valuation, we helped the client achieve financial relief and a more accurate long-term assessment of their rates.

Beyond the savings, this outcome also ensured fairness in the valuation process, preventing the client from overpaying on their business rates in the future.

Savings achieved: £5,239 

Surveyor comment

“Shopping centre retail units can often be overvalued due to broad assessments that don’t always reflect individual unit positioning and comparable rents.”