ONE of the last two ballrooms in the capital is due to close and could be sold off to developers.

The Rivoli Ballroom, Brockley Road, Brockley, which has been running for almost 50 years, has been put up for sale.

Owners Bill Mannix, 67, and his 59-year-old wife, Jeanie, say they have received two offers of around £10m from potential developers of the site and are looking to sell it as soon as possible.

The couple have been running the ballroom for 30 years but Mr Mannix says the rising costs of maintaining and preserving the building as well as concerns about his own health were taking their toll.

He said: "My health is not very good and, to be honest, I just want to retire now."

The ballroom started life as the Crofton Park Picture Palace in July 1913.

Work began to convert it into a ballroom in 1957.

It reopened on Boxing Day 1959 with a large sprung maple dance floor and has since become famous for its preserved original red velvet decor and interior fittings including chandeliers, Chinese lanterns and glitter balls.

But despite its history, the ballroom does not have listed building status, leading to concerns it could be demolished and have flats or shops eventually built on the 15,000sq ft site.

Mr Mannix said: "It is a famous old ballroom but as for what will happen to it now, that's the big question."

"It is our dearest wish it remains as a ballroom because it has given so much happiness to so many people over the years.

"We would like it to be preserved but we just don't know if this will be possible."

The venue regularly hosts live music and dance nights and has also been the location for filming, photoshoots and music videos.

Celebrities including film star Brad Pitt and model Kate Moss have passed through the ballroom's doors over the years, while rock band The White Stripes played there in June.

Sections of the BBC's hit programme Strictly Come Dancing have also been filmed at the Rivoli.

Mr Mannix said: "We have had so many famous people through the doors doing different parts for their films and we are going to miss it all."

Lewisham Councillor Darren Johnson, who represents Brockley ward, said: "It is really important it is pushed to be listed so it can't just be demolished.

"There's a range of possible uses it could have but I think it has absolutely got to be preserved.

"The Rivoli is unique in terms of its interior and everything it represents from years gone by."

Promoter Ken Richman from Jive Party, which runs monthly dances at the ballroom, said the closure would be a great loss.

He said: "There is nowhere else like it. We'd be gutted if it had to close."