Hi Anita,
Unless they had an approved residential use for the bank building I’d continue rating it Business.
We has a similar request here with a residential dwelling that was approved & converted for use as a doctor’s surgery. The owner claimed that they couldn’t find a tenant to fill the space & requested that we categorise it residential as it wasn’t currently used for the business purpose.
I argued that it was approved for business use, they were actively looking for a commercial tenant & as the property had been converted to be used as a doctor’s surgery it wasn’t equipped to be used for residential accommodation.
They advised me that they would be getting their own legal advice with intentions to appeal the decision but have since paid the business rates.
Regards,
Simone
