A £150,000 dream to turn a ramshackle motorbike showroom into an exclusive wine bar and bistro could soon become reality - thanks to the vision of three Wharfedale businessmen.

Malcolm Hughes, Vernon Marston and John Barber are spending more than £150,000 between them to completely refurbish the former showroom and doctor's surgery in Bridge Street as a showpiece wine bar and bistro.

They claim the new 65-seater wine bar and restaurant in Bridge Street, opposite the police station, will boost a rundown part of Otley and help inject new life into the waterfront area.

The partners have already got full planning permission and have just applied for an extension to the front of the property.

Mr Hughes, said he was hopeful that, subject to planning consent, the restaurant could be open by the end of April.

"We see it as an ideal way to restore a building in one of Otley's most picturesque places back to its former glory as well as filling a large gap in the market," he said.

"The wine bar will be a real credit to the town. It's something that certainly I have always wanted to do and it's a great challenge. We are putting a lot of money into it, the final costs are likely to be even higher, but we're confident of success."

A variety of foods will be served, including tapas, seafood and steaks. It will also feature a beer garden as well as 17 car parking spaces and Mr Hughes said it was likely to feature the biggest selection of cigars in the country - partner John Barber is the brother of Otley cigar supremo James.

Mr Marston is better known as landlord of the Bay Horse pub in Otley.

Wharfedale Observer readers are being asked for their help in naming the new wine bar.

"We just haven't been able to come up with a definite name yet," said Mr Hughes. "We've got the working title of 'Partners Wine Bar', but want something a bit better than that and so we thought we'd ask the people of Otley to come up with something."

Readers are being asked to come up with a name for the wine bar, with the winning suggestion winning a meal for four worth up to £100 at the new venue. Suggestions could reflect the location of the new business, Otley's history or the restaurant's style.

Send your ideas to Name Competition, Editorial Department, Wharfedale Observer, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley LS21 3NX.

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