A BUILDER plans to give a Grade II-listed former auction mart a new lease of life by dismantling it and moving it to a new farm shop complex.

Peter Coverdale says the bull ring, in Tow Law, County Durham, could be transformed into a “mini-Globe Theatre” if rebuilt at his farm shop project at Cross Lanes, on the A66 near Barnard Castle.

The 125-year-old wooden building is surrounded by new housing developments and Mr Coverdale, who is an expert in restoration, says moving it would provide a good solution to the problem of its long-term future.

Planners at the former Teesdale District Council granted permission for the creation of an indoor farm shop and business units at Cross Lanes in 2007, but Mr Coverdale says the addition of the bull ring could provide conference, performance and meeting space.

“It is like a mini-Globe Theatre because there will be seats all around it with a large area in the centre.

“It could be used for a range of things. We could have artists exhibiting there and The Castle Players would be welcome to perform there, should they want to,” he said.

“There aren’t many agricultural buildings like this left in the area. It should be kept.”

The £1m farm shop will have a traditional village feel and will sell only organic produce in butcher, baker, fishmonger and green grocer outlets.

It will be built to have no carbon footprint and will have an eco-friendly grass roof.

Councillor Ron Grogan, from Tow Law Town Council, described the plan as a “winwin”

situation.

“The bull ring is an eyesore and we back Mr Coverdale’s plan all the way,” he added.

It is thought work on moving the bull ring could start before Christmas, with planning permission being sought from Durham County Council retrospectively.