Marina Business Rates U-Turn Welcomed

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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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Linda Andrews - Editorial Assistant, Nuse Online
Feb 13, 2024
2 min read

Following a visit from Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty in October 2023, non-for-profit care provider, Harrogate Neighbours has responded to his findings and has opened its first ever Day Care Centre at The Cuttings.

The Day Care Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.

Guests were given an overview of the new facility now available, which includes themed activities, arts and crafts, classic puzzles and games, snooker, gardening, film screenings and access to local amenities in the community via a dedicated travel service.

Clients who will attend the centre going forward will also enjoy a freshly prepared main meal and light tea to take home.

The Prime minister spent time talking to clients about what the Day Care Centre will mean to them. He also spoke to staff about what it is like working at Harrogate Neighbours.

The report by the Chief Medical Office named ‘Health in an Ageing Society’, highlighted a number of ways that care providers could support older people living in the local community.

Social isolation was a common theme in the report, which Greenfield Court Care at Harrogate Neighbours has responded to with the opening of a dedicated Day Care Centre.

The Day Care Centre will be held at The Cuttings and will be run by staff at Greenfield Court Care. It will provide a safe space for older people to enjoy a range of interactive activities and socialise with like-minded adults.

CEO of Harrogate Neighbours, Sue Cawthray said,

“Supporting vulnerable and older people is at the heart of everything we do at Harrogate Neighbours. Alongside the findings from Chris Whitty’s report, staff at Greenfield Court Care felt there was a need to open a dedicated day care centre which would support those living independently, but who would benefit from a safe place to socialize."

“Welcoming the Prime Minister through our doors, was a great opportunity to showcase the vital services we provide for older people in the community to support an aging population. We would like to thank everyone who attended the official opening and we look forward to opening our doors, creating fun and enjoyment and tackling social isolation together.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said,

“It was a pleasure to meet the clients and dedicated staff at Harrogate Neighbours to celebrate the opening of their new Day Care Centre. The difference that the staff make to people’s lives is truly inspiring and I know that the Day Care Centre will go even further to help combat loneliness within vulnerable communities.”

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Marina Business Rates U-Turn Welcomed

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