FOOD producers who have to travel outside the region to reach customers could soon have a local upmarket outlet.

Plans to redevelop a historic community building in Barnard Castle, County Durham, include a specialist food hall to attract visitors from all over the North.

A 160-seat sunken cinema, gallery and cafe are also included in £6m redevelopment plans for the 160-year-old Witham Hall, which were welcomed when they went on show at the weekend.

Teesdale food companies are already recognised for their high quality produce and the Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, was one of the first venues in the region to hold a food festival.

The regeneration partnership Barnard Castle Vision hopes the town can become a magnet for gourmet shoppers and give producers the chance to achieve fair prices by selling directly to customers.

Chairwoman Deborah Jenkins said: “By reinforcing Barnard Castle as a centre for excellent local food, we can put the town on the ‘food map’ and raise its profile for the benefit of all town centre businesses.

“The completed Witham will bring together commercial, cultural and community activity under one roof.”

In designs drawn up by archtects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the rear section of Witham Hall will be demolished to allow extra room for galleries, performance space and small business units.

The front of the building, in Horsemarket, will be transformed into an open-plan cafe and exhibition area, while the first-floor hall will be renovated for use as a performance space or meeting room.

The cinema and food hall would be at the back.

David Woods, chairman of the Witham trustees, said: “These designs present an exciting future for the Witham.

“The redeveloped venue will provide greatly improved facilities for all the community activities we currently undertake.

“The Witham will be an economically- sustainable venue, and home to businesses as well as a cultural and community centre for the people of Barnard Castle.”

Barnard Castle resident Mike Way said the plans were a positive step.

“Something needs to be done to the hall. It is looking very aged and provincial at the moment. But these plans are very exciting,” he said.

“The cinema will be particularly valuable.”

Barnard Castle Vision hopes to secure funding for the project from One North East, Durham County Council and other sources.

A planning application for the scheme is being submitted to Durham County Council and a target date of summer 2011 has been set for completion.

The plans will be on show on Friday and Saturday, from 9am to 6pm, in the Castle Gallery.