A theatre could open in a town within the next five years according to a council leader.

However, bosses at Ashford Borough Council insist the former Mecca Bingo building is not appropriate.

More than 3,000 people signed a petition calling on chiefs to convert the ex-Odeon in the Lower High Street, which was bought by Ashford Borough Council earlier this year.

The campaign was discussed at a full council meeting earlier this month, but council leader Gerry Clarkson said the 1920s site is too old.

Instead, he said a 750-seat theatre in a new building is on the cards after cultural consultants Fourth Street found the town is big enough to sustain one.

Cllr Clarkson said: “We will have a theatre in Ashford - it won’t come tomorrow but it might come in the next four or five years.

“The bingo hall is not an option because I’m in favour of a new, modern one.

“We commissioned Fourth Street to look at the case for a theatre but we did not ask them about the bingo hall.

“The study said Ashford could sustain a 250-seat theatre, but we are looking at a much larger theatre with more than 750 seats.

“I would like to see a significantly larger one and I want us to have something we can be proud of.”

Council bosses are considering a partial demolition of the ex-Mecca Bingo building, keeping the frontage and former ballroom intact.

In August, council documents revealed the authority is looking to flatten the site to make way for homes, a pedestrian route and bars and restaurants.

The Fourth Street report said that compared to other towns in Kent, Ashford is “underprovided” in terms of cultural facilites.

Aldington resident Peter Morris-Kelso set up the theatre petition in July.

More than 3,200 people signed the petition. As it had gained more than 1,500 signatures, the council had to debate it at a full council meeting.

Mr Morris-Kelso was allocated a 10-minute slot to speak at the meeting.

He said: "It became apparent very quickly that the idea behind the petition was a popular one.

"For some it meant keeping part of Ashford's history intact, while for most it meant the exciting prospect of actually having a theatre of our own.

"Having a theatre in the town would also contribute to revenue and footfall, as having stage plays, live performances, comedians or even pantomimes would attract not only local theatre-goers, but also tourism from afar.

"The people of Ashford are sick and tired of having more flats and apartments springing up on every spare scrap of land and green space."

Ashford Labour leader Cllr Brendan Chilton called for the council to halt plans to demolish the building at the full council meeting.

Twenty-nine council members voted against the motion, including council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson and Cllr Graham Galpin, who holds the portfolio for the town centre.

Five members supported the move.

'I think we should halt current plans for the site and go back to a public consultation and make sure all minutes and meetings about this are published...' - Cllr Brendan Chilton

Cllr Chilton, the ward member for Stanhope, said: “The Mecca Bingo site is a landmark in Ashford and for many brings back wonderful memories.

“Three-thousand people have signed a petition and the people of Ashford do deserve more than barbers and nail bars.

“What I’m calling for is a halt, a re-think and an examination.

“I think we should halt current plans for the site and go back to a public consultation and make sure all minutes and meetings about this are published.

"There is a huge and very vibrant youth theatre in Ashford.

“If we want that talent to grow, we need to ensure they have a space and I think we need to do more."

Cllr Dara Farrell (Labour) supported Cllr Chilton’s suggestion of halting the plan.

He said: “We have had a town centre consultation but it lacked focus on this petition.

“I’m shocked that they (Fourth Street) weren’t asked to look at the Mecca Bingo site. We should not be writing it off.”