FHP wins business rates appeal for Tom Browns Brasserie

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 31 July 2020

UPDATED: 31 July 2020

Property consultancy, FHP has been successful in an appeal to lower business rates on the property of two Nottingham-based restaurateurs, saving them thousands of pounds a year.

Robin Perkins and his brother, Adam, own the popular riverside restaurant, Tom Browns Brasserie, in Gunthorpe, Nottingham.

The pair had seen the rateable value of their property almost double between 2010-17, resulting in a steep increase in business rates.

Alastair Fearn, Director at FHP successfully appealed the rise on their behalf, resulting in a 30% reduction in the rateable value of the property and a total saving of circa £30,000.

The reduction also saw the business fall under the threshold required to apply for a Business Support Grant from Newark & Sherwood District Council.

The grant provides access to up to £25,000 to help businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industries to survive during the coronavirus pandemic.

Robin Perkins, said: “This is a huge result for us and is so important to the future of our business. We had seen our rates go up year on year and as a small independent restaurant, that was very hard to take. We felt that something wasn’t right and we wanted to appeal, we just couldn't find the right support. We had previously instructed another agency to look into the matter but hadn’t made any headway. Alastair Fearn at FHP was recommended to us and we’ve been really impressed. Alastair provided us with the perfect service, it was all handled so quickly and without any hassle. The rebate on its own was great news but the fact that we were then eligible to apply for a grant makes a massive difference.”

Alastair Fearn, Director FHP said: “I’m very pleased that I was able to achieve a positive result on behalf of Tom Browns Brasserie at a time there was so much uncertainty for their business. It was important that we moved quickly to resolve the issue so that we could apply for a Business Support Grant, so we worked closely with Newark & Sherwood District Council to make them aware of the situation well ahead of time. We work with all manner of businesses operating from licensed premises, offices, warehouses and shopping centres. Business rates aren’t something that people always have time to consider, but it doesn’t cost anything to take a look into. We know that any cost savings could be vital for businesses adapting to life post-Covid-19.”

Tom Browns Brasserie was established more than 30 years ago and has built a reputation as one of the best restaurants in Nottingham.

Current owners Robin and Adam Perkins acquired the business from their parents in 2001. The restaurant has since been awarded two AA Rosettes (2008-2019) and featured in the Michelin Restaurant Guide 2018/19, for its quality, fresh, modern, international cuisine and superb service.

Tom Browns Brasserie supplied food to Newark Women’s refuge and local elderly residents unable to visit supermarkets during lockdown. The restaurant used surplus stock and raised more than £5,000 through a Just Giving page.

FHP is one of the largest private commercial property consultancies in the Midlands, with three offices located in Nottingham, Derby and Birmingham. The firm has a strong track record of achieving exceptional business rate savings for a wide variety of clients, including Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and Nottingham Forest Football Club,

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