The future of the Gala Bingo Hall again looks threatened with the news that owner Bass wants its listed status downgraded.

The application has raised concerns that Basss ultimate aim is to knock the Clapham Junction building down, although this has been denied by the company.

Bass bought the 1937 former cinema, then grade II listed, back in 1997.

It has been closed ever since while Bass and Railtrack developed proposals to build a large retail and leisure development in the Clapham Junction area.

Bass called the building formerly the Granada Cinema an eyesore, arguing it had no economic use for it.

But in 1999 its listing was upgraded to grade II* giving it a greater degree of protection.

The outside of the building is shabby, but it has a large, well-preserved and lavishly designed interior.

A planning application was originally promised for Spring 2000, but none has yet been made.

Bass says it is still working on plans for the site.

Now Bass has applied to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to have the listed reverted to grade II.

The DCMS says it will consult with English Heritage and make a decision within the next few weeks.

But it says it will need persuasive new evidence for the change.

Bass says the downgrading will enable greater flexibility when developing the site, but a spokesman said demolition is not on the cards because a grade II listed building cannot be demolished.

In fact all listed buildings can, in theory, be knocked down.

But the listing will have to be taken into account before permission is given and the higher the listing, the less likely this permission.

The building has been the site of illegal raves, with a squatters party in March resulting in used syringes and human faeces littering the floor, but Bass has subsequently tightened up security.

The Cinema Theatre Association is concerned about the future of the Gala, one of the best surviving pieces of work by cinema interior designer Theodore Komisarjevsky. It wants it used for theatre or music performances.

And a local campaign group, Carry on Granada, has been formed to keep an eye on it.

This week a spokesman called the application a retrograde step which will make it easier for the owners to persuade the council to allow its eventual demolition.

He added: This building does have a viable future as a centre of entertainment for the local area.