A FORMER Herefordshire cinema and bingo hall could become flats after speculation that it could become home to a new KFC fast-food restaurant.

The Clifton bingo hall closed its doors for the final time in October 2022.

The hall was the last remaining bingo hall in the county after Hereford's Buzz Bingo, formerly Gala, closed in 2020.

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It had opened in July 2014, taking over from previous owners Top Ten Bingo.

The hall was named after the former Clifton cinema in Westbury Street which had entertained cinema-goers for four decades after opening in 1936.

The building had been up for sale for some time, originally marketed by agents Sunderlands with an asking price of £480,000 in 2022, before the price was dropped to £349,500 by early 2024.

The agents said at the time that the sale offered a prominent and extensive three-storey building with a large open plan space and extensive parking, with access from South Street as well as the rear car park, and has scope to be used for other purposes, subject to planning.

Inside, the building has a large foyer with access to toilets, a staircase to the first floor, and the bingo hall, which includes a bar, separate office, and bingo area.

Upstairs is a mezzanine area and storage rooms, with further storage found on the second floor.

The building has since sold, with work appearing to have started on site, according to locals, and plenty speculating on social media as to what could be coming to the building, with suggestions from flats to KFC.

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But draft minutes from the most recent meeting of Leominster Town Council's planning and highways committee appear to dash the hopes of those keen for a fried chicken fix.

The minutes said that a member of the public had asked what was planned for the former cinema building.

Councillor Mark Woodall advised that he had been informed that the intention was to maintain the frontage and convert the building into flats, the minutes said.

"However, it was noted that this could not be confirmed until a planning application has been submitted," the minutes said.