It has been an entertainment venue for decades, but Wyvern Hall could be scrapped from the town scene.

A planning application has been submitted to Swale council to transform the “under utilised” site into a state of the art gym.

The proposal has been put forward by Swale Community Leisure Limited, the trust which operates the venue in Central Avenue on behalf of the local authority.

It wants to expand on its “current active lifestyle programme” at Swallows leisure centre which the hall is attached to.

It claims that despite a number of promotional marketing campaigns to promote the hall, including a programme of tribute nights, there has been little or no interest.

There was also limited response or uptake to its free hire offer for parties, weddings and charitable events.

In a statement submitted with the plans, the trust says: “Our current availability of Wyvern Hall is 412 hours per month.

“The bookings and usage figures are only 26 hours per month and in percentage terms it equates to 6% of available hours (excluding the fitness and exercise classes).”

If given the go-ahead, it will close at the end of July so work can be carried out to convert it into a multi-use fitness area comprising of spinning and workout zones as well as resistance equipment designed to strengthen muscles.

It will reopen in September with an open day planned for the following month.

Bookings up to July 27 will be honoured. After this date, customers have been offered the sports hall at Swallows as an alternative.

Those not wishing to use it have been supported in finding other appropriate venues.

Following the conversion, The Cherry suite, bar lounge, Wyvern Hall meeting rooms, projectile hall and sports hall at Swallows will be available for hire.

Catering and kitchen facilities will remain to support events and bookings.

A trust spokesman said: “Swale Community Leisure Limited has been considering the best use of the Wyvern Hall to ensure it remains open.

“The hall has seen a decline in usage over the past 10 years.

“Following an extensive review of the options and the need to drive efficiencies, Swale Community Leisure Limited has decided to convert the hall into a new community gym.”