Following widespread concern expressed by Nabma members about the potential impact of a rating reassessment of market halls Nabma’s Chief Executive, Graham Wilson, yesterday met with senior officers from the Rating Office. The Chief Executive was accompanied by Ian Dewar of Wilks, Head and Eve, who Nabma has instructed to help in this matter.

It appears that following on from the Birkenhead judgement in 2004, discussed at the last Nabma Retail Forum, approximately 200 markets in England and Wales have been identified as potential candidates for rating reassessment leading to individual assessments rather than a single assessment.

Letters have been sent out to the Local Authorities responsible for the 200 markets and the Rating Office has promised Nabma that they will provide details of the Local Authorities involved and the Local Authorities that have responded.

It is acknowledged that the questions raised in the letter may need to be revisited and the Rating Office is looking at the possibility of introducing an information sheet to give further details of the proposed reassessment.

At yesterday’s meeting Nabma’s Chief Executive made it clear that this has the potential to be very damaging to Local Authority Markets and this consideration takes on a very serious dimension when it is recognised that in Birkenhead, following the reassessment, the Rating figure increased from just under £300,000 to approximately £600,000.

The Officers from the Rating Office pointed out that in addition to Birkenhead, several other markets are currently separately assessed. Examples given included some Nabma members.

During yesterday’s meeting the Chief Executive indicated that it might be helpful to have a short “interval” where an opportunity could be taken to look at the issues within a National forum. In this way we can explore the arguments, look at the information being sought from Local Authorities and consider the potential impact on Local Authorities.

The Officers from the Ratings Office acknowledged the difficulties being experienced by many markets and the fact that markets are not as profitable as previously.

In terms of the potential increases that might be encountered, reference was made to the possibility of utilising small business rate relief.

This matter is on the agenda for the Retail Forum at Nuneaton on the 4th April and it is vital that Nabma gets clear instructions from its members on how to proceed.

Members will appreciate that costs have already been incurred in involving a Rating expert and there is the potential for incurring significant costs if Nabma’s involvement is to continue.

In many ways, issues like this are the reason for Nabma’s existence and we have the ability to take a lead and assist our membership if that is what you want.

This makes the meeting at Nuneaton all the more important. It is clear we need to devote a significant amount of time to discussing this issue. If you are concerned about this Rating issue, you need to be there.

Any views prior to the meeting will be much appreciated.


Graham Wilson
Chief Executive