Case Studies

Bolton School, Bolton

We have worked for Bolton School almost since our own firm’s foundation and our relationship stretches back to 1995   Bolton School is a substantial co-educational school with nursery, infant, junior and senior Schools.  The buildings are very impressive and there are strong historic links to Lord Leverhulme.

The School also has a variety of different buildings, all of which need attention at least for each Revaluation period as the Estate is upgraded.

Fortune College, Hampshire

We recently started working with the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy, a specialist residential college for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Founded in 1976, the centre uses horses as an educational and therapeutic medium to help students develop key life skills.

We reviewed the rating assessment to ensure it accurately reflected the centre’s use and operational needs.

Kimbolton School, Cambridgeshire

Educational establishments always need to keep an eye on the bottom line – it’s essential that expenses are kept to a minimum wherever possible. However, this highly specialised area is difficult to monitor and can, over time, become a significant hidden cost.

Kimbolton School have engaged The Beattie Partnership to review their business rates liabilities since the 2000 revaluation period. With over 30 years of experience in the field, our team have been able to consistently reduce the rateable values following negotiatiions with the Valuation Officer and secure a series of reductions, most recently totalling over £28,000.

Stockport Grammar School, Cheshire

The many demands placed on academic staff and school governors mean that it can be difficult to keep up with the everyday essentials of running a school, let alone spending time trying to save money on business rates liability.

The high standards upheld by Stockport Grammar School deserved a high standard of service, as well as excellent results. The Beattie Partnership’s experience in identifying savings opportunities, coupled with our tenacious approach to negotiations, meant that we were able to secure savings which, after mandatory relief, amounted to over £30,000.

College, Greater London

A university college located in London was the subject of an appeal concerning whether the property should be valued on a rentalised basis or on a Contractor’s basis.

We provided representation throughout the negotiations and discussions involved in the full appeals process.

Wells Cathedral School, Somerset

Wells Cathedral School instructed us to review their Council Tax along with their business rates.

We reviewed both of these liabilities and investigated possible reductions. Our experience led us to believe that some accommodation at the School should have further investigation.

Hospitality & Leisure client, North England

A key factor in enabling us to effectively evaluate a property is the ability to compare it with similar premises in the surrounding area. This comparative approach often provides a valuable starting point. However, with food and drink establishments this can prove difficult as it is uncommon to find several directly comparable businesses located nearby.

In one such case within the hospitality and leisure sector we were asked to review a property portfolio and faced this exact challenge. Despite the limitations we developed a strong understanding of the specific issues affecting the business and successfully achieved actual savings of over £42,000.

Hospitality & Leisure client, Hampshire

Leisure accommodation is typically valued for business rates purposes based on a Receipts (turnover) basis.

Our specialist rating valuers who work extensively in this sector analysed the accounts compared with the hypothetical occupier and discussed additional reductions in the assessment due to their comprehensive redevelopment programme. Savings through the rating list period exceeded £60,000.

Business Centres

When dealing with the business rates for business centres and serviced offices, it helps to understand the history behind a building’s letting history and the circumstances that gave rise to the letting within the economic cycle.  As can be noted from the successful case outcome here, the location of the business centre in relation to the central business district and key transport routes could also be a factor.

In this case, we were able to demonstrate that a business centre is a different mode and category of occupation.  Although this sounds rather technical, it could have wide implications for other business centres and even alternative businesses, for example, where the rent is lower than the prevailing tone for that area, but the landlord appreciates they are needed as a part of a balanced tenant mix.

Commercial Business , Cheshire

A successful business operating across Sales Recruitment, Sales Training, Executive Recruitment, and Sales Development was subject to a rating assessment for its head office site. Part of the business activity involves residential courses, creating a unique rating scenario that combined a modern office environment with domestic and hotel-style accommodation.

Our team analysed the most appropriate valuation methodology, appealed the assessment, and successfully secured savings of £75,000.