New owners take over at Olive Tree cafe

The Olive Tree cafe in Lerwick’s Toll Clock Shopping Centre has new owners this week.

Brian Minty and his wife Lesley, a cook, took over the business today and will be running it as a partnership along existing lines.

The couple have been so impressed by the standards and organisation of the eatery, run for the last four years by Bo Simmons with “never-ending” support from husband Henry Anderton, that they have pledged not to change anything.

Mr Minty said: “It will be trading as normal.” Thus the gourmet cheeses and olives will still be on sale and all 10 staff, including two full-time, will remain. “It [the cafe] is working fine, there’s no necessity to break it up, but people are welcome to make suggestions on how we can improve.”

Mr Minty, who describes himself as “half Shetland”, is related to the Halcrows from Burra and also has family in Lerwick and Skerries. He is now based in Burra and his wife and children will shortly be re-locating from their home in Forres.

The family, who have been to Shetland “many times”, were eager to move because of the uncertainty of job prospects in the Forres area. Mr Minty sold the concrete business he owned 18 months ago and has been looking for a new venture – as his wife worked in catering buying the Olive Tree seemed a logical step.

Now, with the advent of the tourist season and the Tall Ships visit, the couple are looking forward to a busy summer. Bo Simmons said: “I’m delighted for them and wish them every success.”