Couple’s anger as park rates bounce sky high

Bill is 50% more than similar trampoline site in central belt

Atrampoline park’s “crushing” business rates bill is 50% more than a similar-sized site in the central belt.

John and Julie Mackenzie opened Skyline in Inverurie 18 months ago after they were inspired by a visit to a trampoline park while on holiday.

The pair took over a 30,000 sq ft warehouse, which had been rented to oil and gas companies in the past, and transformed it into one of the most popular attractions in Aberdeenshire.

However they were shocked to learn their property was given a rateable value (RV) of £189,000 – RV is used to calculate rates – with an annual bill of £100,000.

The couple’s shock turned to anger when they realised their bill dwarfed that of the 33,000 sq ft Playsport centre in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, which has an advertised rate of just £64, 262 from an RV of £127,000.

Now they say they are working “all day, every day” to keep the business afloat because they did not imagine their rates would be so high.

They have challenged the bill to the Grampian Valuation Joint Board.

Mr Mackenzie said: “When the rates assessor came round he told us it had been used by oil and gas businesses in the past.

“But this is a family entertainment business we are running.”

Mrs Mackenzie added: “We have had some management leave and haven’t been able to replace them which means John and I are working all day every day to keep things going.”

RV is based on the rental value of a property on a specific date.

Last year it emerged that firms were being charged by typically more than a fifth because the valuation was based on the period before the oil and gas downturn.

Finance Minister Derek Mackay introduced a 12.5% cap on bills for the hospitality and office sector in the region, which was recently extended until 2022.

Gordon MP Colin Clark has accused the government of “turning a blind eye” to the plight of the region’s tourism and entertainment industry, which he said the economy is becoming increasingly reliant on following the oil and gas downturn.

Mr Clark said: “The entertainment and tourism industry is being hit by crushing levels of business taxes, but the SNP is turning a blind eye.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are doing all we can to support the Scottish economy, including maintaining a competitive non-domestic rates regime for businesses in Scotland.

“We also provide the most competitive package of rates reliefs in the UK, worth around £720 million, including the Small Business Bonus Scheme, which alone lifts over 100,000 properties out of rates altogether.

“Our current transitional rates relief scheme will also remain in place until 2022.”

PROHIBITIVE COSTS: Skyline trampoline park in Inverurie owner Julie McKenzie, with Gordon MP Colin Clark and her husband John, right, says their rates are too high