AN AWARD-winning restaurant group is closing the first eatery in its growing chain in a bid to concentrate on expansion plans in other locations.

The decision by Oldfield's to cease trading in Barnard Castle was taken with a lot of regret, managing director Bill Oldfield told the D&S Times earlier this week. The Teesdale outlet opened five years ago, making news when it received a coveted Les Routiers gold award three years running. But despite its reputation, the restaurant has fallen victim to the growing success of the chain and was described by Mr Oldfield as "no longer fitting in with the new portfolio".

This was backed up by the company's marketing manager, Charlotte Mitton, who described Barnard Castle as "tea and cakes", whereas the other towns were a lot more vibrant.

In defending his reasons for closure, Mr Oldfield said the Barnard Castle restaurant was run on an owner-operated basis, an 18-hours-a-day job leaving him no time to concentrate on his other outlets.

"The market is much bigger in a place like Durham, meaning you can afford to install a management team to run things for you," he said.

However, he could not afford to do that in Barnard Castle, and the time he was giving over to running it was disproportionate to its returns.

"It is with sadness that it is up for sale or lease," said Mr Oldfield. "It has been like a giant dinner party every night. But I can't work an 18-hour day here and try to expand at the same time. The decision seems a natural progression for the way the business is moving forward."

The plans will see the group grow considerably over the next five years, with a dozen more restaurants at sites in Newcastle, Harrogate and York under consideration.

But the decision to close the flagship branch has dismayed some members of the community, who are battling to promote Barnard Castle as a place to visit in the wake of the foot-and-mouth epidemic.

Coun Phil Hughes, chairman of Teesdale District Council and a director of the regional development agency One North-East, told the D&S Times that the closure was disappointing news, especially as it was not very long ago that the firm was announcing that it would be the hub of its gastronomic empire.

"It's even more disappointing to see the marketing manager quoted as describing Barnard Castle as 'more tea and cakes, and 'less vibrant' than Durham and Darlington," he added. "The promotion of Teesdale and Barnard Castle, in which Oldfield's has been actively engaged, has been aimed at increasing the numbers of visitors who stay longer in the dale.

"The infrastructure to underpin this sort of development means we need award-winning restaurants using high quality local produce," he added. "The vibrancy, vitality and viability of Teesdale's trade won't be improved if residents and visitors go further afield for their culinary pleasures!"

He added: "Oldfield's has been an anchor property on The Bank and contributed well to Barnard Castle's tourism offer. Their abrupt departure is puzzling as we turn the corner of rural recovery."

David McKnight, project manager of the Market Towns Initiative, was also disappointed by the decision, but felt the town must learn some lessons from the closure. He felt one way to retain businesses was to look at extending the tourist season.

"We are never going to have a 12-month season such as York or Durham, but we can still work on it," he added. "If a small town such as Bedale can attract winter visitors, there is no reason why Barnard Castle can't do the same."

Tony Seaman, the district council's director of economic development, said it was sad to see any business close as he felt the town's future lay in providing leisure services for visitors as well as in being the hub of Teesdale.

"But it is particularly sad to see Oldfield's close because Bill has put such hard work into the town," he added.

However, Mr Oldfield confirmed that he would continue to contribute to the promotion of Teesdale through his role as chairman of Teesdale Marketing, a non-profit distributing company that promotes and encourages economic prosperity in the dale.