National concern Stylus Sports, who leased the club under the name DeLuxe Bingo, had proposed the ambitious upgrade, with a 'grand re-launch' this year.

It would have meant merging the club with the former Byron Cinema, which is part of the same building.

But the link between Stylus and the bingo club on High Street has now ended.

Owner Tharmalingam Sritharan, known as Sri, said Stylus had aimed too high with the club.

Sri pointed out that like other bingo clubs all over the UK, the Byron had been hard hit by the smoking ban.

But he is planning a publicity drive in September, together with joint managers Jane Bonsall and Tim Sperry, to boost the club's fortunes

Sri added that refurbishment work was proposed, although this would be on a smaller scale than Stylus's scheme.

Meanwhile, he is hoping for funding for the club to get its big revamp as part of a multi-million regeneration of the town centre.

At the request of Byron's loyal customers, the club's jackpot competition – which was scrapped by Stylus – has been revived.