A landmark hotel, restaurant and bar in the centre of Otley is back in business, and the new boss wants to return it to its status as “grand old lady of Otley”.

The Black Horse Hotel on Westgate closed earlier this year, and has remained empty for several months until owners Enterprise Inns approached Ian Collins, the landlord of the Dalesway Hotel in Ilkley, winner of the Ilkley Gazette restaurant of the year award for the past two years, to step in and run the business.

The distinctive hotel re-opened last month and so far Mr Collins has turned the hotel’s bistro into Stable’s Steak House.

He says the feedback from customers has been very positive.

Their work to return the hotel to its former glory is far from over – he hopes to have the hotel and its large function room licensed for civil marriages in the near future.

The Black Horse dates back to 1821, and although the original building was demolished, the hotel was re-built in 1901.

Mr Collins said: “It is the grand old lady of Otley, and we want to return it to that.

“We’ve employed a couple of chefs, some of whom have Michelin Star experience. We’ve been open a few weeks and already word is starting to get round. We’ve had some very good feedback.

“We want to get the place licensed for civil marriages and other things like that, which the hotel should be offering with its big function room.

“We really want to make the most of the building and we’re really giving it a go. The hotel is a lot better represented online now.

“I want it so that the place is the first choice for anyone who wants to hold a function or event in Otley.

“There have been a lot of issues with the pub trade over the past few years, but this is a positive thing for the town.”