CAMPAIGNERS who want to see a former bingo hall become a cinema fear its owners are bringing religion through the back door.

Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) was refused permission to turn the former Rialto building in Church Road, Crystal Palace, into a place of worship by Bromley Council in December 2009.

In June last year the centre said it would not appeal the council’s decision but as it prepares to open its doors later this year, there are still fears about what will go on inside.

Picture Palace Campaign, which wanted the building turned into a cinema, says the KICC has been reluctant to meet to discuss its plans.

And it believes this may be a back door to using the building for exclusively religious purposes.

Its chairman Annabel Sidney said: “There is an emerging view that once 25 Church Road is put into active use by KICC it will be lost to local people along with its potential to positively contribute to the regeneration of Church Road and the district centre.”

But the centre maintains it still plans to use the building to show family friendly films and allow the hall to be used by community groups, along with a bookshop and a coffee shop.

The centre's chief operating officer James McGlashan said: “The building has got planning permission for D2 use and D2 use is not for church services.

“We want to keep it as a large hall for community use.

He added: “It will supply a different sort of niche.”