ONE of St Helens' most-loved restaurants is celebrating its 30th birthday.

Spanish restaurant La Casa Vieja shared news of the milestone on their social media accounts this weekend.

The venue is regarded by many as is hidden gem located on Bickerstaffe Street, a short walk from St Helens Central station.

It has been serving authentic Spanish tapas in the community for three decades.

The restaurant's birthday message thanked all the "wonderful friends/customers who have continued to show us their valued love and support for over three decades. From our Casa to yours, thank you".

Messages of congratulations poured in from their loyal customers.

Last year the Star visited the restaurant and was told how Manolo Estupinanquintana, from Gran Canaria, brought his family and his passion for cooking homemade Spanish recipes with him to the UK before opening his own tapas restaurant in 1994.

Since opening, the restaurant has been refurbished, with Manolo’s daughter Siobhan Fairclough taking over management and close friends and relatives also joining the team.

St Helens Star: The restaurant serves authentic, homemade dishes (Image: La Casa Vieja)The restaurant serves authentic, homemade dishes (Image: La Casa Vieja) (Image: La Casa Vieja)

During the Star's visit last year, Siobhan told us: "The staff don’t owe me anything; they’re not staff, they’re family.

"Everything about it is personal and we find it important that they know us on a first-name basis; it’s a big Casa family really.

"My dad’s 61 now and he still cooks every single dish; every recipe is his own recipe.

"He’s been doing it all his life."

St Helens Star: Manolo and his wife Joan, from Liverpool, pictured on the restaurant's opening night (Image: St Helens Star)Manolo and his wife Joan, from Liverpool, pictured on the restaurant's opening night (Image: St Helens Star) (Image: La Casa Vieja)

Siobhan shared how the business has faced a hit during the pandemic and, like many hospitality venues has felt the brunt of the current cost-of-living crisis, forcing it to increase prices due to energy bills tripling.

St Helens Star: La Casa Vieja is located off Bickerstaffe StreetLa Casa Vieja is located off Bickerstaffe Street (Image: La Casa Vieja)

She added: "It’s been a long few years, recently, but the support has been great.

"We know there’s not a lot of money out there and people are struggling, so we like to make sure that when people do come, we do our best.

"It is hard, but we’ve got to keep going."

The business’ ethos to encourage customers to stay for a long period of time to enjoy the tapas and immerse into the Spanish culture.