The Rose and Crown in Ilkley is defying the atmosphere of doom and gloom in the UK licensed trade by re-opening its doors as a traditional Yorkshire pub.

The Church Street premises have been taken over by new landlord Darryn Rowell, who has a wealth of experience running pubs from Spain to Ireland.

Darryn, who first took up his position behind the bar at the end of April, is aiming at a young professional clien-tele.

He is transforming the kitchen area and plans to make full use of the Rose and Crown’s large beer garden.

The re-emergence of the Rose and Crown has been made possible by London Town, which is running a successful campaign of pub re-openings throughout the country.

The company has already re-opened 160 pubs, creating more than 800 jobs since December.

Darryn said: “I’ve been running excellent venues for nearly 14 years, but this is my first opportunity in England. I’m really keen to make a go of it.”

Globetrotting Darryn has managed pubs and clubs in mainland Spain and in the Canaries, where he ran the bar owned by former Tottenham hero Vinnie Samways in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria.

In Ireland, he was in charge of the busy and popular Queens Nightclub in Ennis, County Clare.

He said: “The Rose & Crown is a great pub in a great location – this is a big tourist area with lots of walkers in the summer.

“It would be a tremendous loss if traditional houses like this were allowed to close and I think that London Town deserves great credit.”