A CHURCH group insists it is carrying out no more than "minor refurbishment" to a former bingo hall in Upper Norwood.

Campaigners contacted Bromley Council after seeing "lorry loads of scaffolding" entering the former Gala hall in Church Road.

But the building's owner KICC (Kingsway International Christian Centre) insists the work is no more than "painting and decorating".

Campaigners want independent cinema chain City Screen to buy the building.

KICC's bid to change the hall into a church was halted last December when the council rejected its planning application.

And in June, KICC said it would not appeal this decision as it didn't want to be seen as "fighting" the community it "wishes to serve".

When asked what the latest plans are for the building, the spokesman said: "Discussions are ongoing".

City Screen was outbid for the building by KICC when the site came up for sale last June.

Hannah Bougen, executive officer of the Crystal Palace and Norwood Chamber of Commerce, said: "The chamber would love to see the building returned to its former use as a cinema."