Garden centres are now established and significant retail and leisure destinations in their own right. However, the approach to valuing garden centres differs significantly when compared with other retail, leisure and commercial property.

The value of a garden centre is made up of three distinct elements: land, buildings (including trade fixtures) and the market perception of the trading potential excluding personal goodwill. The potential to improve turnover underpins the value of the business. The actual level of trade combined with the potential level of trade is key.

The valuation approach must follow the analysis of comparable transactions so it is essential that the valuer has first-hand experience of the market.

Relevant to both freehold and leasehold valuations, regard must be had to audited trading accounts, merchandise ranges and business mix, relevant planning history, and the potential to improve the business. Other factors such as catchment analysis, demographic mix, permitted planning uses, competition, access, building size, age and condition, catering offer, and concession income are also relevant.

Other more recent developments such as the referendum decision to leave the EU, and the 2017 Rating Revaluation have to be taken into consideration to evaluate any impact on value, and if so by how much.

Each property has to be considered on its own merits, and ultimately the relative market demand has to be gauged accordingly. Specialist skills and indepth knowledge of the garden centre transactional market are essential for an accurate and effective valuation.

gilbert-evans-advice-note-14-november-2016

Click here to download – Advice Note 15 2017

For confidential and expert garden centre property advice, please contact:
Mike Gilbert 01344 636386 or mgilbert@gilbertevans.com
or
 Allen Evans 01344 636446 or aevans@gilbertevans.com