THE owner of a long-standing Italian restaurant in Cleckheaton is branching out and opening a tapas bar in the town.

Pino Bianco has been at the helm of Aldo’s for more than 30 years, first as manager, then as owner.

Now he has taken over a former coffee shop building in Westgate and is currently in the process of transforming the building into a tapas bar, called Tappino’s.

“It is something I have been wanting to do for a long time,” the restaurateur said. “This property became available and I thought it would be the right spot and meant we could stay local to Cleckheaton with the new venture.

“It’s going to be tapas, Italian-style, as I wanted to create a different concept to our existing Italian restaurant.

“People have been asking me if I’m scared of the two businesses competing with each other – but I think they will complement each other.

“Tappino’s is a completely different kind of place – you won’t be able to get a full portion of lasagne or pizza there like you will be able to at the restaurant.”

Many of the materials being used in the renovation are recycled, with pallets and scaffolding planks and poles a prominent feature in the new-look venue.

Mr Bianco is hoping to open in the middle of September.

He explained the concept of the new venture, saying they would be opening from 10.30am to 9.30pm, serving cappuccino and granola first thing, with a pasta bar at lunchtime and a menu also containing tapas dishes.

The Westgate premises are next door to the award-winning Rose & Crown pub, which is home to the Haworth Steam Brewery brewing operation.

The pub was renovated completely before opening in September last year serving real ales, including those brewed in their back yard, as well as food.

In addition a dilapidated building on nearby Dewsbury Road was completely transformed to open as a Chinese restaurant earlier this year. The building had been empty on and off over the last decade and is now home to Wok Ever Palace.