Whilst recently holidaying in Portugal, I found myself one damp lunchtime sipping a rather potent ‘007 Martini’ in the opulent ‘spies bar’ at the Hotel Palacio in Estoril, my mind drifting into Bond film memories of double agents, casinos and Aston Martins. Apart from it being a wonderful destination, I am here because this hotel’s image is on the front cover of a book currently being read by my partner […]

Having been instructed to find buyers for two major glass tempering plants in the last year, it is not unreasonable to consider ourselves well experienced in valuing and selling glass processing machinery. The first assignment took us into Kent and we undertook a RICS valuation of the business and assets, it was hoped that a buyer for this whole glass processing facility might be found. After much negotiation and deliberation, […]

I suspect that at the tender age of 35, I am now something of ‘shopping dinosaur’ in that I do not shop online (although admittedly my household does receive packages courtesy of my wife’s online shopping habits). I prefer instead to purchase things the old-fashioned way, i.e. actually going to a shop and seeing (maybe even touching!) the item that I plan to buy before I decide to part with […]

The roll out of HS2 has been nothing if not controversial. With the deadline and budget stretching further and further away (the Independent recently reported that it would cost £403m for every mile of the new line) the creation and implementation of the new railway is viewed by many as an exorbitant drain of money and resources on the taxpayer, a killer of precious wildlife, and a source of great […]

Marriott & Co. is a highly professional, independent RICS Regulated firm of  Plant & Machinery Auctioneers. The firm’s membership of the RICS ensures we must demonstrate its five professional and ethical standards meaning that we always: (1) act with integrity, (2) provide a high standard of service, (3) act in a way which promotes trust in the profession, (4) treat others with respect and (5) take responsibility. We have been […]

The recent Compulsory Liquidation of Carillion was a complete shock to the UK economic and political system. It has been reported that Carillion’s involvement in low margin fixed price contracts (mainly with the Government), and a resulting inability to remain profitable when problems occurred, was the significant reason behind its failure. The ‘chattering classes’ will inevitably focus on such issues and who is to blame for the current situation, demanding […]

                                 The Disposals team here at Marriott & Co. aren’t sure where 2017 has gone. In fact, we have been so busy, we’re afraid that blog writing has rather gone out the window! But, we think it is about time we got around to telling everyone what we’ve been up to this year. A number of online business asset auctions, private treaty sales and business sales have been keeping us […]

The basis of valuation for a machinery valuation could be Market Value, Equitable Value or Fair Value. Each of these three bases has its own definition.  The basis of valuation is determined by the purpose of valuation, for example if the purpose of the exercise is to ascertain an expected selling / asking price on the open market, then Market Value is the appropriate basis. However, if a closed (private […]

What’s hidden away in our attics and garages? Might there be, amongst the dust, the cobwebs, the children’s old maths textbooks, an old family heirloom, an original Monet, a diamond ring? Items of immense interest or * [avert eyes sentimentalists] * great value? And just think what could be hidden away in a great big barn? We’ve all heard the stories of barn finds. So, imagine the team at Marriott […]

Despite the rates overhaul that came in to effect on 1 April 2017, and pleas from business groups such as the Engineering Employers Federation (“EEF”) for an end to plant & machinery rateable value assessments, certain plant and machinery remains rateable. There are therefore two issues to worry about.  Firstly, are we being taxed on plant and machinery that is not rateable? Secondly, are we paying the correct level of tax […]