Twenty years ago Andy Noceda Quintana went on holiday to Benidorm in Spain – but instead of coming home, he ended up living there.

The former travel agent met and wed his partner Anibal and the couple went on to open a gay bar and restaurant in the popular resort.

Weeks before the global pandemic was declared they were about to launch a nightclub in the old town.

But as lockdown came and with no financial support from the Spanish government, Andy returned to the UK with Anibal – hundreds of thousands of pounds out of pocket after investing heavily in their new venture.

Lodging at a friend's house in Chatham, Andy worked as a lorry driver for a year while Anibal helped out in the Candlelite restaurant in Rochester which offered a delivery and takeaway service.

When the chance came for them to take over the High Street eatery they grabbed it.

And after spending 18-hour days refurbishing the premises, they opened tapas bar Sol y Sombra about two weeks ago.

Paraguay national Anibal, 48, is head chef, serving between 40 to 45 dishes and three types of paella.

They have renovated the listed building transforming an outdoor area into an extension of the eating area and are currently still adding to the decor and furnishings.

They say business is booming with customers, who are reluctant to go on their annual break to the sun-kissed Costas, still eager to taste authentic Spanish cuisine.

Andy, who is originally from Luton in Bedfordshire, has "fallen in love" with Rochester and has built up a camaraderie with fellow traders.

Speaking of leaving Spain, he said: "Covid came and that was it, we had to make up our minds and we decided to call it quits.

"We had no idea what to do or where to go. In my job I have travelled all over, but we loved the sun and the chilled-out lifestyle there.

"But unlike in this country, there was no financial help."

In Spain, the 58-year-old quickly became involved in the community – living with the locals in the mountains outside the popular Costa Blanca tourist town and working as a hotel bar man to pick up the language.

Now hundreds of miles away in the cobbled streets of Rochester, he said: "It's been absolutely brilliant here. We get a mix of tourists and locals.

"It's the first time I have been to Rochester even though I have friends in Chatham and the place is absolutely stunning.

"Our aim is to keep it Spanish Mediterranean and build up the menu. It seems popular with people who usually go to Spain on holiday but this year have chosen not to."

Tapas, served in traditional terracotta bowls, cost £6 each and paellas are £11 for vegetarian, £13 for meat and £14 for seafood. Sangria is also served.

Andy added: "You can expect to wait 20 to 30 minutes for a paella because it's made with fresh ingredients and made from scratch. We deal with Spanish food suppliers."

"We like to think we are bringing a little bit of Spanish sunshine to the High Street."

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