Rt Hon Valerie Vaz MP delighted by business rates ruling which could save local museums thousands of pounds
Rt Hon Valerie Vaz MP said:
“I welcome this landmark ruling on the rateable valuation of Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM). This decision will change the way museums in England and Wales are valued for business rates purposes.”
“Many local museums are currently facing financial pressures and this ruling could provide them with a substantial saving at a critical moment. Since April 2017 some museums have been subject to huge increases in business rates that have threatened the sustainability of the sector. This is a ruling which recognises the cultural importance of museums and should be celebrated.”
“Exeter City Council with the support of Arts Council England and the National Museum Directors Council have achieved a fantastic victory for the museum sector. The Court of Appeal ruled the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery’s rateable value should be reduced from £445,000 to £1.”
“In Walsall we are fortunate to have several excellent local museums and I hope this can lead to some long-term financial relief. The Walsall New Art Gallery and Walsall Leather Museum are two internationally renowned museums which could stand to benefit from this Judgment.”
