Business Week | Commercial Property & Business Rates Update

Business Breakfast: Commercial Property Update & Business Rates Revaluation Guide 2026 

Sponsored by Graham + Sibbald 

Stay informed on the latest commercial property trends and understand what the 2026 Business Rates Revaluation means for your business. 

Business rates bills are changing across the country as the 2026 Rating List comes into effect, while the local commercial property market continues to shift with changing rents, demand and occupier requirements. 

Join us for an informative breakfast briefing delivered by the Graham + Sibbald team, featuring Joe McCarthy MRICS, Head of Business Rates (England & Wales), alongside local property experts Mark Bunting and Georgia Strazza. 

Designed for business owners, occupiers, property professionals, finance leads and anyone with an interest in commercial premises, this practical session will provide clear, commercially focused insight into the changes ahead and what they mean for businesses in St Albans. 

Hosted at Cosy Club in Christopher Place, the event combines expert guidance with valuable networking opportunities alongside members of the local business community. 

What’s included 

• Welcome and networking 

• St Albans commercial property market update from Mark Bunting and Georgia Strazza, Graham + Sibbald 

• Business Rates Revaluation 2026 briefing from Joe McCarthy MRICS, Graham + Sibbald 

• Live Q&A session 

What you’ll learn 

St Albans Commercial Property Market 

• Current trends across office, retail and industrial sectors 

• What is driving demand and where the market is changing 

• Local developments affecting occupiers and landlords 

• What this means for lease renewals, rent reviews and relocation decisions 

Business Rates Revaluation 2026 

• How rateable values have changed under the 2026 Rating List 

• The key changes businesses need to be aware of 

• What to look out for when receiving your business rates bill 

• Understanding reliefs, transitional arrangements and common pitfalls 

• How and when to challenge a rateable value 

Why attend? 

Commercial property costs and business rates are key considerations for many organisations. With the 2026 Business Rates Revaluation changing rateable values and the St Albans property market continuing to evolve, this session will help you understand the impact on your business and the steps you may need to take. 

Hear directly from Graham + Sibbald’s specialists on local market conditions, business rates changes and practical considerations for occupiers, landlords and property professionals. 

Whether you are reviewing your premises, managing property costs or simply want to stay informed, this briefing provides valuable insight to help you navigate the year ahead. 

About the speakers 

Mark Bunting
Senior Director, Graham + Sibbald 

Mark is a Senior Director at Graham + Sibbald and one of St Albans’ leading agency surveyors, with over 30 years’ experience in the local market. He opened the St Albans office (formerly Aitchison Raffety) in 1990 and has since headed the firm’s Commercial Agency and Lease Advisory divisions, building extensive experience across agency, rating appeals, valuations and general property advice. 

Georgia Strazza
Associate Director, Graham + Sibbald 

Georgia is a Senior Surveyor in the St Albans office and one of the most active agents in the local market, specialising in the sale and letting of commercial property across Hertfordshire. She also works closely with the Lease Advisory team on lease renewals and rent reviews and sits on the St Albans Chamber of Commerce Future Leaders committee. 

Joe McCarthy MRICS
Head of Business Rates (England & Wales), Graham + Sibbald 

Joe leads Graham + Sibbald’s national Business Rates team and advises occupiers and landlords across offices, retail, industrial and hospitality sectors. A member of the Rating Surveyors’ Association, Joe has extensive Valuation Tribunal and Upper Tribunal experience, specialising in rateable value appeals, reliefs and revaluation strategy. 

Event Details 

Venue: Cosy Club, Christopher Place Shopping Centre
Date: Tuesday 13 October
Time: 07:15 – 09:00am

Tickets 

Member Price: £25 + VAT
Non-member Price: £40 + VAT 

Book early to secure your place for this practical commercial property and business rates briefing.