Retailers are being urged to take part in research that will form the basis of a challenge against the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the 2015 Rates Re-Valuation.

Property advisor Barber Wadlow, working with the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), is compiling a research report on the fuel retailing sector to demonstrate the injustice of the current system.

The new piece of research intends to demonstrate the similarities between c-stores and forecourts with c-stores in a bid to bring their rateable values more in line.

Adam Wadlow, director at Barber Wadlow, said: "In its present state, business rates of petrol filling stations (PFS) are more of a tax on the business itself rather than the property. "RVs of PFSs incorporating c-stores are now at a level that bears no resemblance whatsoever to standalone c-stores, which are essentially directly competitive businesses. PFS c-stores are performing 10% better than standlone c-stores, which is understandable given the increased footfall generated by the forecourt. However, the rates bill of a PFS is around £150% higher."

See www.forecourttrader.co.uk to read the full news story dated July 20 and to download a questionnaire.