Ian Hooper Band gets the party started as restaurant celebrates its tenth anniversary

Owner Dean Wilson (centre) with his friends Scott Thomas and Ryan Thomas at the 10th anniversary celebrations at Olive Tree Brasserie St Annes

Olive Tree Brasserie established itself on Wood Street in 2008 and founder and owner Dean Wilson marked 10 years in the restaurant business with a special celebration.

Guests were treated to a champagne reception from sponsors Matthew Clark and a goodie bag with the famous Olive Tree Brasserie Balsamic Vinegar as well as promotional items from the charity of the night, Blue Skies Hospital Fund.

Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas and brother Scott Thomas of ITV’s Love Island joined guests to enjoy a three-course meal before Ian Hooper took centre stage with his band, playing into the night to rapturous applause and dancing.

The evening raised £250 for Blue Skies Hospital Fund, through a raffle with the help of donations from local businesses including Ribby Hall Spa and The Imperial Hotel.

The Blue Skies Hospital Fund is a charity which enhances patient care for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Dean, 32, said: “What a night!

“I honestly can’t believe where the time has gone – it feels like yesterday we opened the doors, never knowing whether people would take to our modern way of interpreting Greek cuisine.

“Look where we are now.

“I can’t thank the community and long-standing customers in St Annes enough for their support over the past decade.”

And take to it they have, in their droves. After the opening of St Annes, Preston followed at the Millar Arcade and most recently Chester which celebrated its first birthday last July.

Dean is now set on opening his fourth site in Stockton Heath, with plans to expand throughout the North West and beyond.

Dean added: “I think our success has always come from putting the customer and the food at the heart of everything we do.

“Yes it’s important for the brand to create a great atmosphere, with good lighting, comfortable surroundings and a feel-good soundtrack, but moreover, people come back time and time again because they love our food and they feel like friends to us.”

Dean, who recently picked up a national award for menu development, started the Olive Tree Brasserie brand in his hometown of St Annes, after his return from working in Australia.

He absorbed himself in the Greek culture and cuisine, visiting a couple of times a year to talk to chefs, observe them in their kitchens, educate staff and get inspiration for new dishes.

Dean added: “We’re really proud to get to this point and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing staff and loyal customers, but this is still just the start of the ambition for Olive Tree Brasserie and we’re looking forward to the next 10!”