The Lands Tribunal have dismissed an appeal brought by Buzz Bingo – the UK’s largest bingo club operator – in which they sought a reduction in the rateable value of  one of their bingo clubs in Birmingham. The club had been reduced in size by around 1/3 during the 2010 list in response to the decline of the bingo industry following the smoking ban and the recession. 
 
Buzz claimed that the so-called “right sizing” of the club should have led to a reduction in its rateable value. However it did not support that argument with any reliable rental evidence. The Lands Tribunal held that the “right sized” club should be valued by reference to Fair Maintainable Trade (with a quantum allowance where applicable) in accordance with the agreed valuation scheme for bingo clubs.
 
George Mackenzie acted for the respondent Valuation Officer and was instructed by Amit Bansal of HMRC Solicitors. 

The judgment can be found here.