Myerson Magazine - Winter 2026 Edition

MAGAZINE

Upcoming Changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

Significant inheritance tax changes will come into effect from 6 April 2026, with important implications for farmers and rural business owners. Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) are valuable reliefs from inheritance tax (IHT), but the rules governing their availability are changing.

We examine what the new regime means in practice and the steps families may wish to consider to help safeguard generational wealth.

How APR and BPR currently work

Currently, where a person owns qualifying business or agricultural assets for the requisite period, those assets can benefit from a relief (APR or BPR) from Inheritance Tax at 100% or 50% depending on the type of asset and this relief can apply to an unlimited value of assets.

What is changing in 2026?

From 6 April 2026, the availability of the 100% rate of APR and BPR will be capped. Under the updated rules:

• Individuals will be able to claim 100% relief on qualifying agricultural and business property up to £2.5 million in total.

• Where the combined value of qualifying assets exceeds £2.5 million, owners will receive 50% relief on the excess value. This means an effective IHT rate of up to 20% on that excess portion rather than the standard 40%.

• The unused portion of an individual’s £2.5 million allowance will be transferable to a surviving spouse or civil partner, effectively allowing a couple to shelter up to £5 million of qualifying assets. The transferrable allowance will also be available to people who are already widowed and have lost spouses or civil partners before the policy change was introduced.

Why this matters for family gifting

Farmers and business owners may now require urgent tax planning advice to mitigate the risk of an increased inheritance tax burden from April 2026. That advice may well include succession planning and gifting assets to younger members of the family in order to protect the future of the farm or business.

The role of lifetime gifting

Making gifts every seven years may allow assets to pass free of inheritance tax if the donor survives for seven years. While this can save tax, benefit younger family members and help preserve the farm or business for future generations, there is a risk that such gifts may be subject to litigation in the event of a future divorce involving the recipient.

Where farms have been inherited, passed down through generations and are intended to be preserved for future generations, a court is more likely to ring-fence the farm as a “non-matrimonial” asset.

However, it is important to remember that needs will always take priority. If either party, or any children of the family, does not have sufficient financial provision to meet their needs, the farm and its assets may still be taken into account and divided to meet those needs.

Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements

Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements serve as effective tools for protecting inherited wealth and avoiding the risk of forced asset division on divorce. These agreements are used to clarify ownership of assets in the event of divorce. Examples of clauses for farming families in nuptial agreements could include:

• Separate property: a clause explicitly stating that a family farm and its assets are separate property and are not subject to division on divorce.

• Ownership: a clause clarifying the ownership of the farm and any assets, i.e., listing the specific entity (whether a corporation, LLC or partnership) and the number of shares or percentage of ownership.

• Management: a clause specifying who will manage the farm and make operational decisions on divorce.

• Exclusion of contributions: a clause which confirms that even if one party contributes to the maintenance, improvement or running of the farm, this will not make the farm a matrimonial asset subject to division on divorce.

• Succession: a clause specifying inheritance provisions for how the farm is to be passed down through generations to ensure the farm remains within the family and is not lost through divorce.

The best practice for obtaining a nuptial agreement is to obtain full and frank financial disclosure from both parties and independent legal advice, with regular reviews. Any pre-nuptial agreement should be signed at least 4-6 weeks before a marriage. Given that it can take some time to negotiate terms, it is important to get legal advice at an early stage and soon after engagement. Post-nuptial agreements can be entered into at any point after marriage.

Those affected by the upcoming budget reforms should seek coordinated advice from Myerson’s Family, Agricultural, Corporate and Private Wealth teams.

Speak to one of our

What Happens If a Will That Benefits You Is Challenged?

Discovering that a Will from which you benefit is being challenged can be unsettling. Such disputes often arise shortly after a death, when emotions are heightened and family dynamics may be strained. Understanding your legal position at an early stage is therefore essential to ensure that you respond appropriately and protect your interests.

What is a Will challenge?

A Will may be challenged on a number of legal grounds, including:

• Formal invalidity: where the Will has not been executed in accordance with the statutory requirements, for example, if it was not properly signed or witnessed.

• Lack of knowledge and approval: where the testator did not understand or approve the contents of the Will at the time it was signed.

• Lack of testamentary capacity: where, due to their mental state, the testator was unable to understand the nature and effect of making a Will, the extent of their estate, or the claims of potential beneficiaries.

• Undue influence: where the Will reflects pressure exerted on the testator to such an extent that it overpowered their free will. This must go beyond ordinary persuasion and amount to influence that is legally “undue”.

If a Will challenge is successful, the effect is that the disputed Will is declared invalid. The estate will then be distributed in accordance with the terms of the previous valid Will, if one exists, or otherwise under the intestacy rules.

How do Will challenges begin?

In many cases, the first indication that a Will may be challenged is the lodging of a caveat at the Probate Registry. A caveat prevents the executors from obtaining a Grant of Probate while investigations into the validity of the Will are carried out.

Once sufficient evidence has been gathered, the individual bringing the challenge should prepare a Letter of Claim to be sent to the executors and beneficiaries named in the disputed Will. This letter sets out the legal basis of the challenge, the facts relied upon, and any evidence to support the claim.

Are you an executor or a beneficiary?

Your role in the estate will determine how you should respond.

If you are named as an executor in a Will, a Letter of Claim may be addressed to you in that capacity. Executors are required to adopt a neutral position in relation to disputes concerning the validity of the Will. Executors have duties to provide certain estate information to a prospective claimant; however they must take care not to appear to be taking a ‘side’ in the dispute. Failure to remain neutral can jeopardise an executor’s ability to recover their legal costs from the estate.

If you are a beneficiary, you are entitled to defend the Will and your interest under it. It is common for individuals to be appointed as both executor and beneficiary. In these circumstances, it is essential to keep the two roles distinct. Practically, this means clearly identifying the capacity in which you are acting at all times. As executor, you must remain neutral and comply with your administrative obligations; as beneficiary, you may actively respond to the Letter of Claim, set out your position, and provide evidence in support of the validity of the Will.

Next steps

Will challenges can be particularly frustrating where a potential claimant signals an intention to challenge a Will but fails to progress matters promptly. This can delay the administration of the estate and leave executors and beneficiaries feeling powerless. However, there are steps that can be taken to encourage progress and bring matters to a resolution.

Where a challenge is underway or threatened, early legal advice can be invaluable. Advice on the merits of the challenge, your obligations, and the strategic options available can help protect both the estate and your personal position.

If you find yourself involved in a Will dispute, whether as an executor or a beneficiary, specialist advice can help you navigate what is often a sensitive and complex process.

Helping a First-Time Buyer: The Flexibility of Lending to Someone You Know

Buying a first home has become increasingly challenging, with rising property prices and higher upfront costs putting additional pressure on prospective buyers.

Alternative to institutional lending

Recent reductions to the nil-rate band and first-time buyer stamp duty thresholds mean that purchasers now pay stamp duty on lower-value properties than before, increasing the funds needed at the outset. Therefore, many first-time home buyers are exploring alternative ways to finance their purchase in place of the usual mortgage option from an institutional lender, including seeking support from a private individual such as a friend, family member or trusted acquaintance.

Why first-time buyers consider private loans

A property purchase typically involves not only a significant down payment but also additional funds for surveys, stamp duty, legal fees, moving costs and any refurbishment works needed after completion of the purchase. Providing financial assistance to a friend or family member can ease this financial burden and make homeownership feel more achievable. In some cases, private lending is considered because the buyer’s employment or credit history makes accessing a traditional mortgage difficult. Lending to a friend or family member can feel more personal and can offer greater flexibility than institutional lending, particularly as both parties have an existing relationship.

Structuring a private loan agreement

When considering making a private loan, it is important to consider how the arrangement will be structured, with specific focus on the amount of the loan, repayment terms, length of the loan, interest provisions (if any) and whether security will be required.

Some private lenders choose to provide funds specifically for the deposit, while others may wish to cover costs associated with the purchase, and others may be willing to lend more substantial sums that could cover the entire purchase price of the home. Some lenders prefer regular repayments, similar to what a bank might expect, whereas others are comfortable waiting until the property is sold or refinanced before the loan is repaid in full.

A private loan may from part of wider longterm estate planning by the lender and advice in this context should be sought at the same time.

Could a loan from a private individual be a regulated financial activity?

Loans secured against residential property may be subject to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 if they meet certain criteria. Carrying on a regulated activity without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (or without a valid exemption) may be a criminal offence.

As such, legal advice should always be sought before securing a loan against residential property. A one-off mortgage securing a loan to a family member or friend may not be regulated.

However, the circumstances of each loan arrangement will need to be assessed on a case-by-case basis, including the terms of the loan, the relationship of the parties, and the circumstances of the lender. Our Banking and Residential Property Teams can provide advice on this issue.

Next Steps

Providing financial assistance to a firsttime buyer can be a helpful way to support someone in moving up the property ladder. However, before doing so, it is essential to seek appropriate legal and tax advice.

Our Banking Team can assist with private loan arrangements, including:

• Drafting a private loan agreement;

• Checking the title of the property to be purchased by the borrower;

• Drafting a charge over the borrower’s newly purchased property (if required);

• Negotiating the documentation on your behalf;

• Facilitating completion and registering the charge at the Land Registry; and

• Providing an assessment of whether or not the proposed arrangement is a regulated financial activity.

Who Gets The House When An Unmarried Couple Splits Up?

Take the following scenario: Chris and Della purchase a property together. They are unmarried and did not enter into a declaration of trust but chose to own the property jointly as joint tenants. The couple contributed equally to the mortgage and other household expenses.

Some years later, their relationship breaks down. Chris moves out of the property and stops contributing to the mortgage. The parties then want to understand what happens to the property: can it be sold, and how should the equity be divided between them?

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the court has wide-ranging powers and may order that the property be sold and determine how the equity should be split.

What is the first step?

The first step is to determine how the legal and beneficial interest in the property is held between the parties.

Whenever land is co-owned, a trust is created, known as a trust of land. This has the effect of separating the legal and equitable title to the land between the trustees (legal owners) and the beneficiaries (equitable owners).

There are different issues that can arise when co-owning a property:

Where a property is registered in the names of both parties, or

Where the legal title is registered in the name of one party only, and the other wants to establish that they have a beneficial interest in the property.

In this case, as the property is jointly-owned as joint tenants, the presumption will be that each party will have a 50% interest in the property.

Although the couple did not enter into a separate declaration of trust, the transfer document itself contains a declaration of trust. Where a declaration of trust exists, it is usually determinative of how the beneficial interest in the property is held. If there is no declaration of trust (which is relatively rare), the default assumption is that the parties hold the property in equal shares.

Once the legal and beneficial interests have been established, if the property is sold or if one party decides to ‘buy out’ the other party’s interest in the property, it may be necessary for one party to pay to the other party an amount out of their share of the equity through “equitable accounting”.

What is equitable accounting?

Equitable accounting is the process whereby the Court orders the co-owners to account between them for various items of expenditure related to the property and its ownership from their share of the net proceeds of sale.

Equitable accounting is an equitable remedy granted at the Court’s discretion. It is a separate process from determining the parties’ beneficial interests and can significantly affect how the net proceeds of sale are ultimately divided.

How does equitable accounting

occur?

Equitable accounting generally has implications for the following:

When one party makes payments towards the mortgage and the other does not;

Expenditure on improvements or repairs to the property;

The application of an occupational rent.

It is called equitable accounting because you effectively take a balance sheet of each coowner’s financial claims and responsibilities arising out of their co-ownership and draw up an account of these, providing at the end either a credit or debit to one party or a nil account.

What is occupational rent?

Occupational rent is a notional rent charged against the occupier of a property in favour of the non-occupier. The occupational rent is a compensatory payment to the nonoccupying party and is usually calculated as 50% of the market rent for the property.

Occupational rent is confined to cases where one party was ‘excluded’ from the home.

The Court will generally approach the issue on the basis that a relationship breakdown necessitates one party to leave the property.

In our example, Chris could argue that he was ‘excluded’ from the property due to the breakdown of the relationship and therefore Della should account to him for 50% of the rental value of the property. However, in this case, as Chris stopped paying the mortgage when he vacated, the occupation rent may be counter-balanced, by Della’s claim against Chris.

What if the occupying party has children to house?

The responsibility of both parties to continue to house their children may provide a good defence to a claim for occupational rent.

What about improvements?

The general approach is that expenditure on a property without the non-occupying party’s knowledge or consent will not be credited to the payer. This will also relate to larger expenditure and not general repair and maintenance of a property.

Generally, the payer may seek an account to be credited with the lesser of (a) 50% of the increase in the value of the property resulting from the expenditure or (b) 50% of the actual expenditure.

What about rent received and other payments?

If the occupying party receives rental income (for example, from a lodger), it must be accounted for to the non-occupying party. Account may be taken of buildings insurance payments (and perhaps contents if the content remains both parties’ property).

The legal framework

The Trust of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 (ToLATA) gives the court certain powers to resolve disputes about ownership of land. There are two main types of applications that can be made under ToLATA to resolve disputes about co-owned property. These are:

An Order for sale of the property; and

A declaration of the beneficial interest in the property.

These applications permit a court to decide who are the legal and beneficial owners of a property and in what proportions.

Selling or Purchasing a Property?

What Happens If Someone Who Is Bankrupt –

Or About to be Made Bankrupt – Dies?

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without having to worry about debts, bankruptcy or legal processes. The good news is that the law in England and Wales sets out clear rules about what happens if someone who is bankrupt – or facing bankruptcy – dies, and those rules are designed to bring certainty at a stressful time. Below, we explain how the process works and what it means for families and personal representatives.

Legal background

Bankruptcy begins when a court makes a bankruptcy order, either following an application by the individual themselves or a petition by a creditor. Once that order is made, the person’s assets form a bankruptcy estate, which is managed by a trustee in bankruptcy under the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986) and the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 (IR 2016).

If someone dies insolvent (in other words, their estate does not have enough assets to pay all debts), special rules apply under the Administration of Insolvent Estates of Deceased Persons Order 1986. These rules adapt the usual bankruptcy process to deal with a deceased person’s estate and also apply where someone dies after a bankruptcy application or petition has been made, but before the court has made a bankruptcy order.

If the debtor dies before bankruptcy

A bankruptcy application or petition does not automatically come to an end if the person dies.

If the person dies before the petition has been formally served, the court can allow it to be served on the personal representatives (PRs) (usually the executors or administrators) or another appropriate person.

If the court decides the bankruptcy should proceed, it can still make a bankruptcy order after death.

If no bankruptcy proceedings have started at all, creditors still have options. They may:

• Apply for an Insolvency Administration Order, which applies a modified bankruptcy-style process to the estate; or

• Allow the PRs to obtain a Grant of Probate and then administer the estate in line with bankruptcy principles.

If the debtor dies during bankruptcy

Death does not affect the bankruptcy process. The trustee in bankruptcy continues to administer the estate, which remains vested in them. The statutory order of debt payment remains unchanged except that reasonable funeral costs and the expenses of administering the estate are paid ahead of most creditors (save for secured creditors). If, after all debts and costs are paid, there is any money left over, that surplus passes to the PRs to be distributed under the Will or, if there is no Will, under the intestacy rules.

Who does what?

The trustee in bankruptcy is responsible for:

• Securing and selling assets in the bankruptcy estate;

• Gathering information about the deceased’s finances (with help from the PRs);

• Investigating transactions made before bankruptcy (for example, whether some creditors were unfairly paid ahead of others);

• Deciding which creditor claims are valid and paying them in the correct legal order; and

• Completing the necessary administrative steps, including recording the death on insolvency registers and closing the case.

PRs play a key supporting role. They must:

• Act as the trustee in bankruptcy’s main point of contact;

• Provide information and documents about the deceased’s assets and liabilities;

• Hand over property that belongs to the bankruptcy estate; and

• Respond promptly to enquiries.

If the PRs are administering the estate themselves (rather than the trustee in bankruptcy), they must still follow the insolvency rules when paying creditors. Getting this wrong can, in some cases, lead to personal liability, which is why professional advice is so important. Clear communication between trustees in bankruptcy and PRs is essential, as some assets may fall outside the bankruptcy estate and need to be dealt with separately.

Practical considerations

For trustees in bankruptcy: acting quickly to secure assets is crucial, as is identifying jointly owned property, reserving funds for funeral and administration costs, and dealing sensitively with bereaved families while fulfilling legal duties.

For PRs: if there is any doubt about whether the estate is solvent, early advice from an insolvency specialist can prevent costly mistakes and unnecessary stress.

Next Steps

If someone who is bankrupt – or facing bankruptcy – dies, the situation can feel overwhelming, but established legal rules apply. Family members are not personally responsible for the deceased’s debts, unless they were jointly liable for them.

As the interaction between insolvency and estate administration can be complex, early advice from experienced insolvency lawyers and insolvency practitioners is strongly recommended.

New Year, New Job: Key Employment Terms to Look Out For

For many employees, the new year is a time for a career reset and the opportunity to start a new role. Under Section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employers must provide a written statement setting out the main conditions of employment when someone starts work, including the commencement date, place of work, hours and days of work, and paid leave entitlements.

Many employers go further and provide a full employment contract containing more detailed provisions. Before accepting a new role, employees should carefully review the contract to understand their rights and obligations, both during and, in some cases, after employment.

Pay, bonuses and benefits

The employment contract should specify the employee’s salary and the frequency of any salary payments. Whilst many employees will naturally focus on the salary figure, employees should also carefully consider any additional benefits being offered, including enhanced annual leave entitlement, enhanced sick pay, bonuses, allowances and other benefits schemes which often form a key part of an employee’s ‘overall package’. Employees should be mindful of any benefits, such as bonuses, being referred to as ‘discretionary’, since this may not guarantee an employee’s entitlement.

Probationary periods

Employment contracts are increasingly providing for probationary periods, during which the employer assesses an employee’s performance and general suitability for the role. Employees should consider the

length of the probationary period and the notice that is required if either party wishes to end the employment (which is often shorter than the notice required outside of the probationary period, as outlined below). Furthermore, employees should be mindful of any provisions in the employment contract which may allow the employer to extend the probationary period.

Confidentiality and intellectual property obligations

Most employment contracts contain standard clauses which prohibit the sharing of confidential information during and after employment. Employees should ensure that confidential information is clearly defined and that the clauses are reasonable. An intellectual property clause typically states that any work the employee creates during employment belongs to the employer. In creative or technical roles, employees should carefully check this as it could affect side projects.

Notice periods

If an employer elects to terminate the employment, they are required to provide an employee statutory notice (as a minimum). Employees who have worked between one month to two years are entitled to at least one week’s notice. After two years’ service, employees are entitled to one week’s notice for each full year completed in employment, up to a maximum of 12 weeks’ notice (after 12 years’ service). Where an employee chooses to end the employment, they are required to provide one month’s notice if they have been employed for one month or more. The contract may provide for enhanced notice periods and employees will need to consider whether this is appropriate. Employees should also consider whether the employment contract provides for payment in lieu of notice (PILON) or whether they may be placed on garden leave for some or all of their notice period.

Summary dismissal clauses

The employment contract will also typically set out the circumstances under which the employment relationship can be terminated without notice. These are usually limited to circumstances relating to serious misconduct or serious negligence, and employees should ensure that the relevant circumstances set out in the contract are not unlimited or ambiguous.

Restrictive covenants

Restrictive covenants are clauses in an employment contract which restrict what an employee can do after their employment ends and are especially common in employment contracts for senior employees.

Common restrictive covenants include:

Non-compete clauses: Preventing an employee from working at a competing company or from setting up a competing business in a particular location.

Non-solicitation clauses: Preventing an employee from ‘poaching’ the clients, customers or suppliers of their former employer.

Non-dealing clauses: Preventing a former employee from engaging or dealing with former clients, customers or suppliers.

Non-poaching clauses: Preventing a former employee from enticing their ex-colleagues to leave and join them elsewhere.

Restrictive covenants will only be deemed enforceable if they go no further than reasonably necessary to protect legitimate business interests and are proportionate in their duration and scope. The restriction and any restrictive period should, therefore, be tailored to an employee’s job role, level of seniority and the risk the employee poses to the company if they should leave. Employees will need to consider whether the restrictions contained in an employment contract are too onerous and whether they effectively stop them from being able to work. It is important to seek legal advice on the impact of the restrictions before agreeing to them, as it is difficult to negotiate these later down the line.

This article provides a summary of the key provisions that employees should look out for when reviewing an employment contract. Employees should generally ensure that there are no discrepancies between the employment contract and any previous offers made by the employer. Given the potential for future dispute, it is important that employees carefully review their employment contracts before signing them and seek legal advice in relation to any clauses of concern.

Residential Property Sales: What the

New

TA6 Form Means for You

The TA6, known as the Property Information Form, is completed by sellers to provide buyers with a comprehensive overview of the property before contracts are exchanged. It should be accompanied by documentation collated by vendors, including consents, installation certificates and guarantees.

After considering the widespread feedback from over 1200 professionals, the Law Society has overhauled the TA6 (fifth edition) and replaced it with a sixth edition which was published to third-party suppliers on 13th October 2025. It will be mandatory for all Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) members to use the new form from 30th March 2026. As a CQS-accredited firm, we look forward to rolling out the TA6 to our clients. At Myerson, we will ensure that the transition to the new TA6 is seamless and will be on hand to guide you through the sale process.

What has changed?

In response to the profession’s concerns that the previous TA6 was ‘difficult to use’, the new form has been updated to streamline information and clarify the sellers’ responsibilities. The following ‘specific’ topics have now been removed:

• Council tax

• Asking price

• Tenure, ownership and charges

• Physical characteristics of the property

• Building safety

• Restrictive covenants

• Coastal erosion

• Accessibility

• Coalfield or mining area

Instead, there is a sharper focus on clarity. Rather than requiring sellers to provide a definitive ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer to rigid legal questions, the new form allows more scope to respond with ‘not known’. This should reduce the burden on sellers who previously expressed concerns about misrepresentation. Whilst sellers must still complete the form to the best of their knowledge, there is greater flexibility where the ‘correct’ answer is genuinely unknown. This should also encourage prudent buyers to carry out their own investigations.

Moreover, the questions added to the fifth edition to comply with material information guidance from the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) have now been removed. Whilst it remains the sellers’ responsibility to provide ‘material information’ about the property, this is now gathered by the agent at the point of marketing. Finally, the new TA6 will be accompanied by clearer explanatory notes. These are intended to be a helpful tool, rather than a hindrance, guiding non-practitioners through the form. The Law Society’s President, Mark Evans, has stated that the primary objective is to help sellers “feel more confident filling it out”.

What does the new TA6 mean for you?

The new TA6 is designed to make the property sale process clearer and more straightforward for sellers. As the mandatory adoption date of 30 March 2026 approaches, we will support our clients through the transition and provide clear guidance to ensure the form is completed accurately and with confidence.

Friday, 27th February

Get Altrincham is looking forward to another mouth-watering celebration as A Taste of Altrincham returns from Friday 27th February to Sunday 8th March 2026. Spanning ten delicious days, the event will once again shine a spotlight on the town’s thriving food and drink scene, combining exclusive offers, immersive experiences and exciting new events. Attendees can expect a packed programme of events designed to suit all tastes, Highlights will include gin tastings, cocktail masterclasses, sip & paint evenings, pizza-making workshops, supper clubs, chef demonstrations, and hands-on cookery sessions for both children and adults. In addition, Altrincham BID, the organisation behind Visit Altrincham, will be hosting two full weekends of special events at Altrincham Town Hall.

New for 2026: Visit Altrincham App

This year also marks the launch of the brand-new Visit Altrincham App, launched to coincide with A Taste of Altrincham and packed with exclusive offers you won’t find anywhere else. Available from February 2026, the App will give the community and visitors easy access to local discounts, event information and more, making it an essential download.

Also, on the App, food lovers can take advantage of downloadable vouchers available specifically for A Taste of Altrincham. Valid throughout the full 10-day event, these vouchers offer fantastic savings at participating venues on meals, drinks and experiences. Simply download your vouchers, present them at the venue, and enjoy.

Altrincham’s Ultimate Pudding Competition

Also making a welcome comeback for 2026 as part of A Taste of Altrincham is Altrincham’s Ultimate Pudding Competition. Bakers and dessert enthusiasts are encouraged to get creative and start dreaming up their show-stopping sweet creations. Find out more about the competition and how to enter here.

Mandy White, Director of Altrincham BID, commented:

“We’re delighted to develop A Taste of Altrincham further after the success of last year’s event. We love celebrating the creativity and passion of our local food and drink businesses. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Altrincham for this 10-day celebration, and we are delighted to be working with Myerson once again as our headline sponsors.”

Whether you’re discovering new flavours, enjoying hands-on experiences or competing for pudding glory, A Taste of Altrincham 2026 promises something special for everyone.

For more information about Taste of Altrincham, visit:

A Taste of Altrincham | Visit Altrincham

“We’re proud to once again be the headline sponsor for A Taste of Altrincham. Last year’s event was a fantastic celebration of the town’s thriving food and drink scene, and we’re delighted to continue our support. Having been rooted in the town since 1982, we’re passionate about giving back to the community that makes Altrincham such a wonderful place to live and work.”

Carl Newton CEO of Myerson

Radio Alty plays an important role in Altrincham’s local media landscape, giving a platform to community voices and local stories. Peter Scotson, the station’s Outside Broadcasting Lead, is instrumental in delivering that work, from covering major local events to developing new onair partnerships. As a proud sponsor of Radio Alty, Myerson is pleased to support a station that shares its commitment to community engagement and developing local talent. In this interview, Peter discusses his journey into radio, the ethos behind Radio Alty, and the continuing importance of local broadcasting.

To begin, could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Radio Alty?

My name is Peter Scotson, and I’m a broadcaster with Radio Alty. My love of radio goes right back to the Piccadilly 261 and Key 103 days, listening to legends like Steve Penk and Spence Macdonald. Despite that early fascination, I didn’t pursue it

until much later in life, when I woke up one morning and decided, quite literally, to build a broadcasting studio onto my house. My wife Sharon was understandably startled, but she graciously agreed to the project.

Today, I’m Radio Alty’s Outside Broadcasting Lead. Around 20% of our shows now take place outside the main studios, and we cover well over a hundred events each year, from Altrincham FC men’s and women’s fixtures, home and away, to The BritFest, the Altrincham 10Ks, and the Manchester Marathon.

For readers who may not yet be familiar with it, could you introduce Radio Alty and explain what the station is all about?

Radio Alty launched in March 2020, created by a small group of volunteers with two clear aims: to celebrate everything that makes our town special, and to develop young talent and nurture the broadcasters of tomorrow.

Many of our shows are guest driven because we want to offer content you simply can’t hear anywhere else. We estimate that around 2,500 people have stepped up to the mic since we began, a testament to how deeply rooted we are in the community.

You present Pastries in the Morning – The Alty FC Show, which airs live every Monday from midday. Could you tell us about these shows and what listeners can expect?

In 2022, as part of our community outreach, we invited the Myerson Family Law Team into the studio. The show was an instant hit, and from that moment a strong partnership began. We quickly realised how much Radio Alty and Myerson share: a strong work ethic, deep community involvement, support for Altrincham FC, and a commitment to young people.

How do sponsors such as Myerson support Radio Alty, and what difference does that backing make in practice?

Our partnership with Myerson allowed us to create a genuinely unique programme: Pastries on Monday. On the first Monday of each month, different legal departments join us live on air. We believe we may even be a national first in offering a full hour long legal show, rather than the usual ten minute “solicitor’s surgery” format.

Our community links extend widely, from Altrincham BID to Altrincham Today, our news provider. The support we receive from Myerson is invaluable, particularly in helping us champion and develop the next generation of broadcasters.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Radio Alty over the coming years?

We currently have three key goals:

Short term:

Upgrade the hardware and software in Studio A at Altrincham Garrick Playhouse. Despite the heroic efforts of our resident engineer, the equipment is beginning to show its age.

Mid term:

Secure a small shop front space in town, giving us daily visibility and allowing guests to drop in and share their stories.

Long term:

Broadcast on DAB. The costs are significant, so it may be ambitious, but aspirations are what keep us moving forward

In an age of national and digital media, why do you believe a local radio station like Radio Alty remains so important to the community it serves?

Our strapline is “The heart and soul of Altrincham”, and we genuinely believe in it. We’ve interviewed some of the most famous people on the planet together with the local lollipop lady and the refuse collector. Every guest receives the same respect, because every voice in our community matters.

Finally, how can listeners tune in to Radio Alty, and what’s the best way for them to get involved?

We’re always looking for new talent; not just broadcasters, but producers, researchers, technical engineers, and social media specialists. All roles are voluntary, yet we’re incredibly proud that eight of our young broadcasters have gone on to paid positions at regional and national stations. You can listen to Radio Alty via radioalty.co.uk or by downloading our app for Android or iOS.

Listen to Altrincham’s local radio station at www.radioalty.co.uk

Myerson Wins ‘Transition of the Year’ in the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2025

We are delighted to share that Myerson has been named ‘Transition of the Year’ at the UK Employee Ownership Awards 2025, hosted by the Employee Ownership Association (EOA).

The award recognises organisations that have shown exceptional care, commitment and vision in adopting employee ownership. For us, it marks an important milestone in a journey that was years in the making and rooted in a simple belief: that our people are at the heart of everything we do.

In September 2024, Myerson became the first law firm in Greater Manchester to move to employee ownership through an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), established to benefit all 160 of our employee-owners. With only a small number of UK law firms operating under this model, the transition represented a significant and carefully considered step for the firm.

Since then, our governance has evolved to reflect the principles of employee ownership, reinforcing a strong sense of shared responsibility and collective purpose across the firm. We are already seeing positive benefits, from increased engagement internally to a clear sense of continuity and independence that our clients value.

The award was announced at the EOA Annual Conference in November 2025, and we were honoured to be recognised alongside so many organisations committed to the employee ownership model.

We would like to thank our clients for their continued trust and support, which enables us to invest in the long-term future of the firm, and the people behind it.