It's housey-housey for an empty bingo hall in Chatham town centre.

The iconic building in the High Street, which rose from the ashes after being ravaged by fire, is set to be transformed into a smart block of apartments.

The former Buzz Bingo, which closed in 2020, has been acquired by Donard Homes, the same developers behind the Bardell Wharf prestige housing scheme in Rochester.

The parent company of the Belfast-based business has acquired the substantial premises for an undisclosed sum and details of how many homes it could accommodate are still being planned.

It is one of 37 bingo halls it bought up across the country.

If Donard Homes mirrors its proposals for Bardell Wharf at Star Hill in Rochester at the other end of the high street it could include a roof terrace,communal areas and flats with private balconies and terraces overlooking the town.

Zetland Capital is the finance partner of Donard Homes, the company behind the recently unveiled proposals to develop Bardell Wharf, the vacant site at the junction of Star Hill and Rochester High Street.

Paul Thornton of Donard Homes, said: “In partnership with the Zetland Capital team, we are still considering our plans for the Buzz Bingo site. What we can say is that given its location in the heart of Chatham we feel it offers an excellent location for town centre living.

“We believe in creating sustainable communities by situating them within a 15-minute neighbourhood, with our sites within walking distance of education, grocery shops, healthcare,hospitality and leisure, outdoor space and public transport connections.”

Once the proposals have been drawn up for the Buzz Bingo site, Donard Homes has confirmed it will undertake a public consultation similar to the one held for Bardell Wharf as part of the planning process.

The location has been an entertainment venue for more than 80 years, starting life as the Ritz Cinema in 1937. When it opened it was the largest in Kent with 2,300 seats and featured Art Deco style decor with a cafe and restaurant.

It closed in 1972 and the original Wurlitzer organ was relocated to The Buttermarket live entertainments venue in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.

It was then converted into a bingo hall and was under the ownership of Gala when it was struck by a huge blaze in 1998.

The landmark was completely destroyed as flames ripped through the building and plumes of smoke filled the sky across Medway.

It was doomed for demolition but came crashing down from an all too forceful wrecking ball two months after the fire before the work could be completed properly.

It was rebuilt as a purpose-built Gala bingo hall and reopened by popular demand in the early 2000s.

Read more: The tumultuous history of bingo hall

Buzz Bingo, opposite the old Medway Messenger offices, which closed in August 2020 was one of 26 branches which fell victim of the pandemic.

Meanwhile the former Debenhams store in Chatham High Street, which has been empty for two-and-a-half years, is also being earmarked for housing.

Medway Council has identified the substantial building as one of the areas it would like to regenerate using money from the government's Future High Street Fund.

The £9.5 million grant will also be spent on a healthy living centre and innovation hub in the council-owned Pentagon shopping centre and improving the area around Mountbatten House which is being converted into 174 flats.

All of the projects are due to be completed by March 2024.