Reports that pubs could be taxed extra for running quizzes are wide of the mark.
The Mail on Sunday claimed plans for the secret quiz tax is included in new guidance for the rateable value office.
This is nothing new at all. Its nonsenseDavid Morgan Cookseys DMP
According to the Mail, Valuation Office guidance on how to set the rates for a pub tells inspectors to take into account a number of factors: "Note any TV (including satellite) facility, quiz nights, pool, darts or football teams in leagues. Does the pub appear friendly and popular?
"In addition, pool and darts facilities must be logged along with beer gardens, children's play areas and bowling greens."
However, ratings expert David Morgan of Cookseys DMP said the story was simply "scaremongering".
He said: "This is nothing new at all. It's nonsense. It has always been the case that a referencing officer can go into a pub and check what is going on to see if it matches the trading profile given by the pub. It is standard procedure."
Morgan added that it was probably just that the Valuation Office was looking to tighten up its procedures in new guidance.
But rating expert Mike Yass of licensed property broker Fleuret's said business rate valuations had always been based on turnover from all sources including gaming machines and income from events like quiz nights, and there was no change in the 2010 revaluation guidance.
"Valuations have always been based on assessing fair maintainable trade, and they're pretty good at that," he said.
Chris Tattersall of Sheffield-based chartered surveyors Lawrence Tattersall added: "It's a complete red herring. They've got hold of the wrong end of the stick."
A Valuation Office statement confirmed the rumours were false. "Events and facilities, such as quizzes, darts and pool, either provide an indication of the popularity and therefore likely potential trade of the pub or constitute facilities likely to enhance trade.
"They have been recorded and taken into account when valuing pubs since 1990, and are already reflected in current rateable values. This method is agreed with the industry and is a tried and tested way of valuing pubs."