A former bingo club at the heart of Hinckley town centre could be knocked down in a matter of months as the planning department have supported the redevelopment application.

Flutters bingo along with a row of shops next door and disused toilet block will be knocked down to make way for a supermarket, Territorial Army drill hall and squash courts.

Under the new plans the impressive 1920s facade of the Lancaster Road building will get to remain after the developers backed down to objections. The old frontage will be included in the new plans.

David Ward, of the Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership, commented: “This is an important development in its own right and brings with it new jobs, new retail and new investment into the town centre.

“It is also important as it gives an opportunity for users that are currently on the site to stay there. We were asked by the council to find a solution for those that needed new homes and this is just that.

“When the application first went in it was to demolish the whole building but we heard the concerns raised and although not a conservation area, we wanted to provide protection for the facade.”

The development could be completed as soon as 2014 if everything goes smoothly.