Guests from across the region marked the official opening of La Casita tapas bar in a historic Ilkley arcade with flamenco dancing, tapas feasting and cava tasting.

The Spanish tapas bar on South Hawksworth Street has been launched by co-owners, chef Simon Miller, Oliver Renton and Ben Riley.

Simon said: “We’re thrilled to finally open La Casita’s doors.

“The bar has been a long-held dream for all of us so to see people here, enjoying the full Spanish tapas experience we originally envisaged, is a great achievement for everyone involved.”

Simon, a former quarter-finalist on TV’s Masterchef, has been head chef at leading restaurants in Yorkshire and London, including the Fleece in Otley and Piazza by Anthony in Leeds. He was also sous chef at Ilkley’s Michelin-starred The Box Tree from 2009 to 2011, and previously chef de partie at Marco, celebrity chef Marco Pierre White’s restaurant in London, Ilkley Rugby Club player Oliver has more than ten years’ experience in pubs, including the Craven Heifer in Addingham and the Red Lion in Burley-in-Wharfedale and most recently worked with Simon at The Fleece in Otley.

The 68-cover venue has retained many original architectural features and the new owners have renovated the upper level in a sympathetically Spanish style and plan to make the adjoining outside seating area a key feature of the bar.

The bar is on the renovated mezzanine level of the of the 1895 Victorian Arcade, and specialises in Spanish wines, beers, cavas, sherries and sangria. The bar and tapas restaurant is open seven days a week.