[2025] UKUT 00291 (LC)

The Property is a retail shop arranged on ground and basement levels. It forms part of what was originally a parade of six shops although one of the shops has latterly been converted to residential use. The parade appears to have been built in late Victorian times and above each shop there are two floors of residential flats. The other shops in the parade comprise a restaurant, a barbershop, a small convenience store and a launderette.

Clapham is a suburban location about 3 miles south of Central London. The Property is approximately 300 metres east of Clapham North Underground Station, which itself is situated at the northernmost part of Clapham High Street.

Ms Xiaoli’s business trades as the ‘Dr Gu Acupuncture Clinic’ and aside from acupuncture offers, massage, reflexology, herbal remedies and hijama cupping. Internally, the ground floor is arranged as a reception area, two treatment rooms, a kitchen/staff room, two stores and staff and customer toilets. The basement which is accessible by a staircase is used for storage.

The shop has a timber shop front which is partly glazed and partly boarded to provide a space to advertise the services on offer. The internal parts of the shop are finished to a basic standard with plastered walls and ceilings. The floor has a laminated wood covering and heating is provided by free standing electrical appliances. There is no air conditioning.

The plan that follows shows the general arrangement of the shop. The partition wall in the staff/kitchen area (shown hatched) had been removed by the time of my inspection and it is not clear whether it was in place at the material day. The area shown cross hatched on the plan is outdoor space which does not currently form part of the assessment.