Residents are celebrating rumours Kingston Arena’s appeal to open a nightclub in the former Gala Bingo Hall, has been withdrawn.


An appeal by Kingston Arena’s director Franco Lumba was due to be heard at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court on October 1 following a council rejection of a licensing application for the proposed site.


Today news broke on social networking sites Facebook and Twitter saying Mr Lumba had instructed his solicitor to withdraw his appeal to use the old bingo hall as a nightclub.


Councillor Angela Craig wrote: “Kingston Arena has instructed its solicitors to withdraw their appeal on The Gala Bingo Hall!!!!”


Richmond Road Residents' Association member Bernadette Vallely said: “Residents have won this case, proving when we act together we don’t have to accept inappropriate applications that would ruin our community.”


Controversy has surrounded the former bingo hall site ever since Mr Lumba’s company acquired the building for a reported £1.975m in October 2010.


After buying the building, Mr Lumba said he planned to turn it into a 2,000 capacity, fully licensed, venue.


It was not until a year after the sale that Mr Lumba’s company Kingston Arena had its bid to open a club rejected by Kingston Council, at which point he lodged an appeal with the courts.


The Surrey Comet was as yet unable to contact Mr Skeens, the lawyer representing Kingston Arena.


Kingston Council was still to confirm the appeal has definitely been withdrawn.