ASTOP VIDEOS
See how ASTOP works in practice. These short videos share real examples of how we bring empty buildings back into use for charities and community groups. Whether you’re a landlord, a council, or just interested in how we work, these clips offer a simple introduction to what we do and the impact it can have.
Full Event Recordings & Highlights
Complete recordings and curated key moments from past events, including expert panels, Q&A sessions, and keynote insights.
Highlights Reel – Navigating the Sea Change – 25 March 2025
This event focused on the existing business rates system as well as how charities and landlords can better work together to make the most of commercial spaces for the benefit of local communities.
It included an insightful panel discussion where attendees will hear from local representatives across government, business and the third sector, followed by opportunities for networking.
Length: 00:01:06
Uploaded: 25th March 2025
Tag: Full event recording
Navigating the Sea Change – 25 March Full Panel Event
This event focused on the existing business rates system as well as how charities and landlords can better work together to make the most of commercial spaces for the benefit of local communities.
It included an insightful panel discussion where attendees will hear from local representatives across government, business and the third sector, followed by opportunities for networking.
Length: 1:28:07 min
Uploaded: 25th March 2025
Tag: Full event recording
Reviving Our Communities – Full Panel Event
This event focused on the existing business rates system as well as how charities and landlords can better work together to make the most of commercial spaces for the benefit of local communities.
It included an insightful panel discussion where attendees will hear from local representatives across government, business and the third sector, followed by opportunities for networking.
Length: 1:28:07 min
Uploaded: 14th Aug 2024
Tag: Pre-Change Announcements
Highlights from our Reviving Our Communities Panel Event
ASTOP recently hosted a panel event titled, Reviving our Communities, focusing on our existing business rates system and how charities and landlords can better work together to make the most of commercial spaces for the benefit of local communities.
Find out perspectives from across a range of sectors as to the issues, challenges and opportunities surrounding business rates, commercial property and charitable action. Get up to speed now by watching our highlights reel.
Length: 1:28 min
Uploaded: 4th March 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Tax Relief & Incentives Explained
Detailed overviews of tax benefits, business rates relief, and financial incentives tied to charity-led use of vacant properties.
Navigating new rules on Industrial rates relief (1 Apr 2024 onwards)
Don’t be fooled by the April Fool start date or the misleading sales tactics used by intermittent occupation agents (the box shifters) for many years. These changes are here to stay. Watch the video to reveal all the information you need to make a fully informed decision.
Length: 7:13 min
Uploaded: 10th April 2024
Tag: Post-change Announcements
Navigating England’s New Rules on Retail + Office Rates Relief (1 Apr 2024 onwards)
ASTOP’s summary of the changes and impacts on the empty rates mitigation options, in England which are effective from the first of April 2024. The changes were announced on the same day as the March 2024 budget and based on the 2023 consultation on property tax avoidance and evasion.
Length: 6:30 min
Uploaded: 2nd April 2024
Tag: Post-change Announcements
Surprising CIL-Tax Break for Developers of Commercial Voids
Uncover intriguing insights into a surprising CIL tax break tailored for developers of commercial voids. In this video, William Polisano, a seasoned expert in complex property development at DRUM, unveils a fascinating case study showcasing a lesser-known strategy that could revolutionize the approach for developers in this space.
Speakers: William Polisano (Drum London)
LENGTH: 7:29 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Business Rates Legislation: Updates & Predictions
Analysis of current legislation, anticipated changes, and expert commentary on the evolving business rates landscape.
The Empty Rates Burden – Navigating the New Landscape – Completely Retail News
Discussion from this year’s Innovation Studio sessions at Completely Retail Marketplace London, featuring Shaylesh Patel, director at ASTOP, Bassam Mahfouz – cabinet member for safe & genuinely affordable homes at Ealing Council (Labour) and Christina Beggan, director of asset management at Ellandi
Speakers: Christina Beggan (Ellandi), Bassam Mahfouz (Ealing Council), Shaylesh Patel (ASTOP)
Length: 17:23 min
Uploaded: 20th May 2024
Tag: Post-change Announcements
History of Business Rates in the UK
Segment from January’s Reviving Our Communities Event, where Business Rates expert, Jerry Schurder, dives into the history of business rates in the UK and what can be expected over the coming months and years.
Speakers: Jerry Schurder (Gerald Eve), Shaylesh Patel (ASTOP)
Length: 28:26 min
Uploaded: 14th Aug 2024
Tag: Pre-change Announcements
Expected Empty Rates Changes (Reviving Our Communities Panel Event)
Empty rates are becoming increasingly challenging to circumvent. In a recent consultation led by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the focus was squarely on rates avoidance and evasion. Discover which empty mitigation strategies are proving ineffective and explore the remaining options still available as of January 2024.
Speakers: Shaylesh Patel (ASTOP)
LENGTH: 9:31 min
Uploaded: 27th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
The WHY behind what might change re: England’s current empty rates rules
With a trend of squeezing exploitation of empty rates loopholes and the government consultation that closed in Sep 2023, see predictions and impacts of some expected changes and the why, from various experts/professions. Some advisers and players in the empty rates mitigation arena have vested interests, personal biases and often base their view on misinformation. So prepare to be enlightened by those open enough to give honest views on what is lawful, what is not lawful and what is likely to change.
LENGTH: 9:31 min
Uploaded: 27th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Speakers: Jessica Craig (Power to Change), Bassam Mahfouz (Ealing Council), Shaylesh Patel (ASTOP)
Case Studies & Success Stories
Real-world examples demonstrating effective ethical mitigation strategies from landlords, councils, and charities.
Improve Lives, Save Lives and Save Empty Rates Simultaneously
Explore case studies showcasing how lives have been not only saved but also significantly enhanced within local communities, all while effectively mitigating the costs associated with vacant commercial properties.
Gain insights from representatives of various charitable organizations spanning diverse sectors, such as refugee support, furniture distribution initiatives, volunteer services, and efforts combating modern slavery and human trafficking.
Speakers: Keith Morgan (Voluntary Action Camden), Sara Tennant (Medaille Trust), Bassam Mahfouz (Ealing Council), Simon Westgarth (RFS), Pieter Strombeck (Southside Shopping Centre)
Length: 19:36 min
Uploaded: 29th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Multi Charity Office Space Case Study – Ethical Empty Rates Mitigation
Explore a case study of Voluntary Action Camden and the impact that they can achieve in Camden, partly as a result of the space afforded by ethical empty rates mitigation.
Speakers: Keith Morgan (Voluntary Action Camden)
Length: 5:28 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Shopping Centre Director on Charity-Led, Ethical Rates Mitigation
Shaylesh Patel delves into the compelling case study of Southside shopping centre in Wandsworth, highlighting the transformative impact of Rainbow Rising on both the local community and the revitalization of vacant spaces after Debenhams and 15 other brands closed or relocated from the shopping centre.
Speakers: Shaylesh Patel (ASTOP) – Standing in for Pieter Strombeck (Southside Shopping Centre)
LENGTH: 1:43 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
ESG and Social Impact
How charity-led rates mitigation supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and delivers measurable social value.
ESG Impact of Ethical Empty Rates Mitigation – Charity Case Studies
Explore a multitude of case studies showcasing how access to unused office space has not only saved but also significantly enhanced lives within local communities, all while effectively mitigating the costs associated with vacant commercial properties.
Gain insights from representatives of various charitable organizations spanning diverse sectors, such as refugee support, furniture distribution initiatives, volunteer services, and efforts combating modern slavery and human trafficking.
Speakers: Keith Morgan (Voluntary Action Camden), Sara Tennant (Medaille Trust Charity), Bassam Mahfouz (Ealing Council)
Length: 15:13 min
Uploaded: 29th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
ESG: Charity Case Studies – Retail, repurposing and storing
Hear from a Furniture Re-use Charity that has benefitted from charity-led, ethical empty rates mitigation and the space that has provided them to conduct their great work.
Speakers: Simon Westgarth (Richmond Furniture Scheme)
Length: 5:20 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Strategic Benefits Beyond Rates Relief
How charity-led rates mitigation supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and delivers measurable social value.
Building Bridges Experts and Advocates in Ethical Empty Rates Mitigation
Discover the 10 sectors that make up the Business Rates world as it is today, and the magic that happens when they come together and collaborate.
Length: 0:44 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Insurance Benefits of Charitable Use of Commercial Voids
Himesh Patel, Director of Mantra Insurance gives insight into key considerations when it comes to vacant property insurance and how that impacts empty rates mitigation strategies.
Speakers: Himesh Patel (Mantra Insurance)
LENGTH: 5:26 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
The Best Way To Mitigate Empty Rates (Hint: It’s Not With Us)
Join Shaylesh Patel as he delves into an array of strategies aimed at mitigating empty rates, offering insights on discovering optimal solutions for all stakeholders involved. Gain valuable perspectives from Matt Soffair, Research & Transition Strategist at LGIM, as he navigates the intricacies of long-term approaches to empty rate mitigation. Explore a compelling case study where LGIM effectively implemented their innovative methodology, fostering positive place-based social impact. Unlock the keys to sustainable and impactful solutions in this illuminating discussion.
Speakers: Matt Soffair (LGIM)
LENGTH: 9:16 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Council and Public Sentiment
How charity-led rates mitigation supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and delivers measurable social value.
Councils’ View on Empty Rates Avoidance Options
Gain invaluable insights into the political dynamics surrounding empty rates avoidance and evasion directly from Councillor Bassam Mahfouz. With a dual perspective as both a member of local government and the CEO of a charity, Councillor Mahfouz offers a unique vantage point on the ethical implications and community impact of rates mitigation strategies. communities.
LENGTH: 4:05 min
Uploaded: 28th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Empty Rates Avoidance: Councils’ View on Options and Social Impact
Gain invaluable insights into the political dynamics surrounding empty rates avoidance and evasion directly from Councillor Bassam Mahfouz. With a dual perspective as both a member of local government and the CEO of a charity, Councillor Mahfouz offers a unique vantage point on the ethical implications and community impact of rates mitigation strategies. communities.
Speakers: Bassam Mahfouz
LENGTH: 8:48 min
Uploaded: 27th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Public & Political Sentiment on Empty Rates Avoidance/Evasion
Gain insights from Jessica Craig, Policy Officer at Power to Change, as she discusses public sentiment on empty rates avoidance. This video covers key topics such as the 2019 LGA report, Camden Council’s current situation, and the movement to ban box shifting in England. Plus, hear from Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, offering a unique perspective on ethical rates mitigation and its impact on communities. Explore the intersections of policy, governance, and social responsibility in this engaging discussion.
Speakers: Jessica Craig (Power to Change), Bassam Mahfouz (Ealing Council), Shaylesh Patel (ASTOP)
LENGTH: 11:34 min
Uploaded: 27th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements
Public Sentiment on Empty Rates Avoidance
Insight from Jessica Craig, Policy officer at Power to Change, on public sentiment on empty rates avoidance. This video touches on the 2019 LGA report on rates avoidance, the current situation in Camden Council and the growing movement and open letter calling for the banning of box shifting in England.
A snippet from our Reviving Our Communities Panel Event with stakeholders from multiple disciplines
Speakers: Jessica Craig (Power to Change)
LENGTH: 7:10 min
Uploaded: 27th February 2024
Tag: Pre-change announcements