Former cinema and Mecca Bingo is being demolished in Norwich city centre

The Rolling Stones at the Gaumont Theatre, Norwich in April 1964 (Image: EDP Library)

But uncertainty surrounds what will happen once Mecca Bingo in All Saints Green is reduced to rubble, with the owners yet to submit any plans for the site it currently stands on.

The Gaumont in All Saints Green (Image: Archant)

• Opinion: Former bingo hall would make first-class concert hall for Norwich

• A look back at cinematic history of Norwich's Mecca Bingo

• April 2011 - Huge repair bill closes Norwich city centre Mecca Bingo for good

The building survived a bomb drop during the Second World War, but is not going to escape the bulldozers.

Landowner Telereal Trillium has put up metal barriers around the building, which dates back to the 1930s, to pave the way for it to be knocked down.

But the London-based company has yet to reveal what the future holds for the site, which is estimated to be worth about half a million pounds.

While the company secured planning permission to knock down the building from Norwich City Council two years ago, City Hall has received no application for what will replace the former cinema and theatre, which once played host to The Rolling Stones and Morecambe and Wise.

A spokeswoman for Telereal Trillium said: 'We have no immediate plans for a planning application, but we will be looking at future viable uses for the site within next year.'

When planning permission was granted in May 2012, Gary Howe, a city council planning officer, said: 'It will leave a significant gap in the street frontage once removed.

'There are no plans for the short or medium-term redevelopment of the site - due in part to the need to take the building down for structural reasons.

'It would, therefore, be prudent to condition some form of temporary landscaping of the site or the hoarding off the site to prevent it becoming an eyesore or blank frontage within the conservation area.'

Mecca Bingo closed after investigations found major structural problems and the repair bill was considered to be too high.

Heritage watchdog the Norwich Society said at the time the demolition was approved that it was not against the building being knocked down, but would not wish the site to become an 'eyesore long-term'.

Vicky Manthorpe, a spokesman for the society, said: 'If it were to come down, we rather hoped that it would become an open space. We had understood that many years ago there had been some kind of talk of that, even a gentleman's agreement that it would happen, but that was a long time ago. It could be quite lovely there, if such a thing were to happen, as it's a splendid area. We shall wait to see what does happen.'

The council has asked for photographs showing any historic features of the venue to be taken throughout the demolition.

Mr Howe's planning report concluded: 'Whilst the loss of the building is regrettable, it is clear that the structural deficiencies of the building make this proposal necessary.

'The proposed demolition is considered to be acceptable as the building contributes little to the character and appearance of the conservation area.'

Norwich South MP Simon Wright said: 'It's really important that the owners of the site make sure it's kept in a good condition, and not allowed to become a run-down eyesore, and a blot on the city. I hope the owners are planning a productive use for the site, whether housing or commercial, and that it can be progressed fairly soon.'

• What would you like to see happen to the site after the demolition? Write, giving full contact details, to Letters Editor, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE.