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Marina Business Rates U-Turn Welcomed



Property consultancy Vail Williams has welcomed a Government U-turn on marinas being excluded from lower rate multipliers in the forthcoming business rates revaluation as a ‘victory for common sense’.


The firm, which acts for a number of the UK’s top marina operators covering multiple sites, is now conveying the news to clients.


This move brings marinas into the same category as retail and leisure businesses such as pubs and restaurants. Business rates will continue to be administered by local authorities.


The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) updated the rateable values of all commercial, and other non-domestic, properties in England and Wales which take effect from 1 April.


The Government announced that from 2026/27, existing business rate relief for retail, hospitality or leisure (RHL) properties would be replaced by a lower rates multiplier to calculate the business rates payable on those properties.


However, marinas were specifically excluded from the RHL lower rates multiplier and faced being subjected to the standard business rates multiplier which applies to non-RHL business properties.

Following a campaign backed by industry body British Marine, the Government has announced a refinement in the Statutory Instrument (SI) defining which properties would be eligible for the new RHL business rates multipliers that will be coming into effect in April.


Dan Tomlinson, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury announced the change in a letter to British Marine CEO Lesley Robinson. He said:

“I recognise that marinas are distinct from transport properties and that they form part of the infrastructure of leisure activity. Furthermore, the intention has always been for the scope of the new multipliers to broadly reflect the scope of the current RHL relief. Thank you for bringing to my attention that local authorities are currently awarding RHL relief to marinas."

“The Government will therefore be amending the SI ahead of the policy coming into force on 1 April to remove marinas from Schedule 1. This means that marinas with rateable values below £500,000 and that are wholly or mainly used for leisure/recreational purposes will be eligible for the lower business rates multipliers.”


“Ahead of then, the online guidance will be updated, and local authorities will be made aware of the upcoming amendment.”


The reversal means that qualifying marinas will benefit from the 43 pence RHL rate, rather than the standard 48 pence rate.


Vail Williams partner and head of business rates Adam Barnfield said:

“This U-turn can be considered to be a victory for common sense and will benefit the vast majority of marinas which qualify for the lower business rates multipliers."

“However, there have been significant increases in the VOA assessments of the rateable value applied to marinas, with an average 23% increase in values and an additional £5.8 million of rateable value” – which equates to approximately £2.5m in additional revenue for the treasury.”


“Although this is obviously a welcome change in stance from Government, the increase in RV and the removal of the existing retail, hospitality and leisure relief will still have a significant impact on business rates liabilities.”


Ian Froome, Vail Williams partner and head of marine & leisure, added that the upcoming amendment regarding lower rates measures would be welcomed by marina operators as a silver lining, but there would certainly be increased costs all around.

“We cannot say there will be euphoria regarding this refinement in the revaluation process, but it is a cushioning of the significant increases faced by marina operators and should be accepted as such.”

Business rates revaluation 2026.


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  • lindaandrews071
  • May 12, 2025
  • 2 min read

British Airways is celebrating its ongoing partnership with England Rugby by launching a new sports fund, the British Airways Spaces for All Fund, dedicated to supporting grassroots rugby clubs over the next three years.


As the Official Airline Partner for the England Rugby teams, the flag carrier champions the growth of the sport from the ground up, with a particular focus on increasing uptake amongst women and girls. This is the airline’s first investment in sport and rugby at a grassroots level.


A joint initiative with England Rugby, the British Airways Spaces For All Fund will help local rugby clubs improve their social, event and outdoor facilities to welcome more people into rugby and create a welcoming environment that is more accessible and inclusive for women and girls. The number of registered female players has increased by 38% since the 2021/22 season, with England Rugby aiming to have 100,000 women and girls playing by 2027.


More than 30 clubs will benefit from the airline’s investment over the next three years, with Plymouth Albion RFC and Plymstock Oaks being the first two clubs to have been selected. Plymouth Albion RFC is set to renovate one of its social spaces to create a more welcoming environment for club events, player meals and off-pitch sessions. Plymstock Oaks will transform a space adjacent to the main pitch by upgrading existing facilities to improve access for players, families and visitors.


Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, said:

“We’re proud of our long-standing partnership with England Rugby over the past seven years, and the launch of our new sports fund marks an exciting new chapter."

“We know rugby is more than just a game, it’s a sport with deep British roots that brings people together through community, spirit and tradition. Through the British Airways Spaces For All Fund, we’re proud to support local clubs at the heart of communities and drive positive change for players, volunteers and fans alike. As a British Original, we’re passionate about championing uniqueness and originality in all forms and look forward to what’s in store this year.”


Alex Teasdale, Executive Director of Women's Game at England Rugby, said:

“We're delighted to partner with British Airways, who understand the things that really matter to our sport. The creation and launch of the British Airways Spaces for All Fund is something that will help community rugby clubs to keep moving the dial and offer enhanced experiences to all of their members. If anyone knows how to offer a warm and welcoming experience, it’s British Airways, and so we’re really looking forward to working with them and our clubs to make sure women and girls get the best possible experience.”

The announcement of the new fund comes just ahead of a busy summer of sport, with some of the biggest names in women’s sports taking to the global stage across rugby, tennis, cricket and football.

British Airways continues to fly the England Men’s and Red Roses teams around the world and supports them both on and off the pitch, as the Official Airline Partner.


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