Pizza Hut, Solstice Park, Amesbury, Wiltshire

DWD are instructed by Pizza Hut on business rates matters.

The Solstice Park is an out-of-town leisure complex, close to Stonehenge in Wiltshire.  We identified that the value applied to the Pizza Hut restaurant on the Park by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) was too high.

We lodged a Check (1st stage appeal) and a Challenge (2nd stage appeal) with the VOA, in order to convince them to reduce the rateable value.  Both appeals were rejected.  We then advised our client to submit an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal England so that the case could receive an independent hearing.  DWD prepared and submitted a comprehensive case in support of Pizza Hut’s position, which included expert witness testimony and a detailed valuation.

Shortly before the appeal was due to be heard, the VOA accepted our valuation and reduced the rateable value of the restaurant from £127,000 to £84,000, producing refunds and savings in excess of £70,000.  We also secured a refund of Pizza Hut’s appeal fee.

DWD continue to provide advice for Pizza Hut in respect of 2017 list business rates matters.