The bingo hall in Dartford could turn into a church after a property consultant advertised it for £3 million.

Gala Bingo in Spital Street has been taken on by a company, Alex Martin Property, which specialises in selling commercial buildings to faith groups.

The building which boasts more than 18,000 sq metres of space, was formerly a cinema and has been owned by Gala Bingo since 1991.

Acquisitions expert Alex Hudson admitted he was "walking on eggshells" in regards to the potential sale but said "negotiations are at an advanced stage".

He said: "I knew of several faith groups which would be interested so I approached Gala about it.

"There’s definite interest - I’ve had conversations with faith groups and there’s two local ones which are interested and another one from south-east London.

"The building is not officially on the market but negotiations are at an advanced stage and the staff know about the situation.

"There’s just not enough space for churches so they get pushed further and further out."

The document says: "The building is not listed but it is a conservation area however as the local authority are very flexible in this regard."

Alex Martin Property has estimated it will fit around 200 worshippers inside.

Council leader Councillor Jeremy Kite said: "There is a big difference between someone putting it up for sale and the business stopping. I think we need to see what Gala say. 

"Three million pounds seems to be an awful lot of money. 

"The staff have told me it’s business as usual. We have to be careful about using the word ‘closure’.

"My concern is about the staff -they’re a good employer. I don’t want to speculate too much. 

"It’s all a bit strange. It may be a bit of a market testing exercise. 

"If it does go, I’d be sorry to see it go. I’ve played bingo there myself before and enjoyed it."

A Gala pokeswoman confirmed the building has not been sold but said there have been discussions about the freehold. 

TIMELINE OF THE SITE

1935 Opens as the State cinema

1949 Building is renamed the Granada

1968 Serious flooding damages the Compton organ, and it is later repaired and sold

1975 Becomes the Granada Social Club

199 Gala Bingo Club takes over the building