THEATRE-GOERS can now dine in style before and after performances at Durham's new Gala Theatre.

Catering facilities are up and running two months after the curtain went up at the new arts venue in the multi-million pound Millennium City development.

A plush new top floor restaurant, The Dining Room, opened this week, offering an a la carte menu and dramatic views over the city skyline and the river.

Aimed at catering for audience members attending shows and the public, it will open daily from 12-2.30pm, and with a special pre-theatre rapid fixed price menu, from 5pm. But there will still be time to dine after most shows, with the restaurant serving until 11pm from Monday to Saturday.

A daily menu is also available in the Gala Caf and Bar, offering a more relaxed atmosphere.

Overseeing the catering operation are two County Durham exiles, returning to their roots.

Kate Lund, from Durham City itself, is the restaurant and banqueting manager.

She arrives from London, having worked with Sir Terence Conran during the opening of his Saville Row restaurant Sartoria, and recently in Marco Pierre White's La Parisienne Chophouse in Knightsbridge.

Darren Foster, from Newton Aycliffe, heads an 11-strong cooking and kitchen corps at the Gala as executive head chef.

During 12 years as a head chef he has worked at restaurants in a variety of settings.

A special opening offer is running this week to tie in with the soul musical, Hold On, at the Gala. Soul Suppers are available from 5-11pm over the coming week until March 16

On Tuesday, cast members of the show rolled up in style to promote the opening and posed with a £120,000 convertible BMW ZX, of the type used in Bond films.

The show stars award-winning West End performer, Ruby Turner.

For the first time, Gala has been converted to a flat-floor venue, with cabaret-style tables and chairs to accommodate it.

For information and to book tickets, call the box office on (0191) 332 4041. Restaurant and caf inquiries and bookings can be made on (0191) 3324044