CASA is cavernous. Entering the new bar in Low Ousegate, York, you can hardly imagine that this was once a poky discount shop. That is because some of the £1.1 million invested in Casa was spent on joining two old buildings together. The mid-section is entirely new, and features giant windows with a splendid view of the river, which can be swung open on rare sunny days.

It is very post-modern and trendy. At the front is the bar. Metal and wicker chairs sit on a dark wooden floor.

Further in are two raised seating areas, one boasting a horseshoe-shaped sofa and matching pouffes (call the nurse - Bar Talk is talking about pouffes...)

Beyond that is another dining area and the kitchens. Above you is a large metal extraction duct, that looks something out of Dr Who.

So what is Casa? "It's a Mediterranean-style caf bar," says co-manager Craig Smith, perched on a pouffe.

"The best thing about Casa is there's something for everyone. It's not just for young people, it's not just for old people. People can have a coffee and read the paper, a fantastic lunch, or sit on one of the sofas and have a sandwich."

Come the evening, it is more of a "younger environment" but even then, a large space at the back is reserved for waiter service (food is served from 10am-10pm). Music will be louder in the bar than in the dining area.

The food reflects the Medi-terranean theme, with a typical dish being moules et frites. Beers are of the posh bottled variety and priced to discourage the "wrong sort" of clientele.

For those who have been observing York's nightlife for some time, the opening of a licensed premises right here seems something of a turnaround. Pub group JD Wetherspoon was among a clutch of businesses keen to move in, but was turned down because the authorities did not want to increase the Micklegate Run.

"From talking to the local people, the feedback I have got is that the Micklegate Run has had it's life," says Craig, by way of explanation.

"It's done well in the past. All the new bars in town have brought a better clientele into town.

"I don't think we are the start or end of the Micklegate Run. I class us as with the other star bars we've got in town."

Casa was originally a Whitbread chain, until it sold it to the Laurel Pub Company. Craig originally ran the second Casa in Derby, before opening ones in Epsom and Reading. Now, though, he is planning to spend a few years in York. With his fiance and co-manager Gaynor Marshall, he has bought a house here. They have a 16-month-old boy Tyler and another boy due in November. "We'll stop having kids and then we'll get married," Craig jokes.

Casa employs 35 people, and Craig expects to be taking more people on because he reckons it's going to get busy. We think he's right.

u MAURICE Taylor is another licensee looking to settle in York. But his preference is for a "traditional, community pub".

With partner Cheryll Roberts, he works for Sovereign as a troubleshooter landlord. They are parachuted in to a pub to tide it over for a few months at a time.

For the past 14 months, they have been managing the Old Ebor on Nunnery Lane, a Pubmaster outlet. Previously, Maurice said, he's worked at The Queens in Lawrence Street, York, as well as many a Nottinghamshire boozer.

But now, they fancy putting down their roots. "We want to get settled," said Maurice. "If you just take troubleshooting jobs you don't know where you are going to be.

"You're living out of suitcases."

They're keen to take over a York pub, and are interested in the Five Lions in Walmgate.

So, what is he looking for in his ideal pub? "I don't like fun pubs. I like the old community-type of pubs."

Can't see Maurice putting in a bid for Casa, then.