After the Kingsway International Christian Centre confirmed that they will not contest the Bromley Council’s decision to refuse a planning application which would allow the former bingo club in Crystal Palace to become a place of worship, campaigners are stepping up their efforts to turn the site into a cinema.

The Picture Palace Campaign group, which represents the views of local residents, is working to ensure that its own vision is not overlooked. The group celebrated its first anniversary last year and says while things have changed over the year there is still a lot to be done to achieve its aims.

The Christian organisation wanted to move their church in Upper Norwood. They believed their plans would help the community in terms of spiritual development, with programs that would aid the local residents by providing trainings and counselling. For financial reasons in terms of jobs and revenues residents were against the plans and appealed to the government to put up something that would aid them financially. The closing of the Gala Bingo club made a big impact to the local community since a lot of residents in the area used to work for the club. Residents were also concerned that the plans of the Kingsway International Christian Centre would have a significant impact on the residents in terms of traffic. The local government agreed with the campaigners.

Committee councillor John Getgood said: “There is nothing wrong with another church coming into the area.

“The problem with this one is that it is being imposed on the community.

“This is a wandering tribe looking for a home.

"Crystal Palace is the wrong place for it.”

Annabel Sidney who is the head of the campaign group commented: “The 7,000 local people who signed our petition in the autumn still want 25 Church Road to be used as a cinema.

Fundraising events are lined up to carry on the campaign with a cinema-themed outdoor tea party between 12 noon and 3.30pm on July 10 at The Grape and Grain in Anerley Hill, Crystal Palace.

There will also be a campaign stall at Kingswood Primary School’s summer fair in Gipsy Road, West Norwood from 11am to 3pm on July 17.

“We believe this would be by far the best outcome for residents and traders.

“We need to continue to raise funds to ensure the campaign stays in the public eye and to pay for legal advice on any proposals that come forward from the KICC.

“Together we shall do all we can to achieve our collective goal.”

She added: “We will continue our discussions with local officials, councillors and MPs over the coming weeks, where we are exploring a number of strategies for getting a cinema back.”

As the KICC group purchased the property, and are unable to fulfill their plans it is unclear as to what the future holds for the property. While residents had hoped that in the absence of investment for a cinema the local government may make use of the building for the benefit of the community given the planned cuts this is extremely unlikely.

It is most likely that the KICC group will want to dispose of their investment at the earliest opportunity, and while they may support local campaigners propositions to develop the site to a cinema, if this is unlikely to be successful and no cinema operator is interested, then no doubt the former bingo club will be sold to a developer as so many old bingo clubs are these days. If such a situation was to occur, residents should expect a block of flats and maybe a few commercial plots if they are lucky.