FHP have been able to sweeten what is often a bitter pill by achieving reductions in business rates payable for those businesses negatively affected by road works.
One of the schemes to have caused the most widespread disruptions in Nottingham was the NET2 works, which severely affected businesses located on the Nottingham Science Park, NG2 Business Park, Wilford Industrial Estate and those on Lenton Lane. Alastair Fearn, Director in FHP’s Business Rates Team, conducted coordinated business rates appeals on behalf of over 70 affected businesses, making a total saving in excess of £300,000, with many appeals yet to be fully dealt with.
Other reductions were achieved for businesses disrupted by roadworks during the removal of the Belgrave Flyover in Leicester and also in Derby where London Road Bridge was shut for 13 months; spanning further South, we are currently working for a client dealing with disruption due to a reconfiguration of the local road network.
Alastair Fearn comments:
“The disruption caused by infrastructure projects can have a significant impact on businesses which is often underestimated. We have had to fight hard for occupiers to gain reductions for them, most recently appearing at Valuation Tribunal in relation to the Derby Bridge Closure. Many businesses do not realise that when outside influences disrupt their premises it is possible to build a successful argument to reduce business rates payable and I am pleased to say that I have recently been able to save several hundred thousands of pounds for businesses.”
Where disruptions are classed as a ‘material change of circumstance’ which directly affect trade, such as road works, a business rates appeal can be made to reduce the business rates payable by a company to reflect the losses incurred.
