The Olive Branch in Blackburn is already a local favourite

The Olive Branch is located on Redlam where the Sandwich Emporium used to be and has already received glowing reviews from customers.

The family business opened on October 14 and is run by partners Douglas Power, 50, and Amy Firbank, 37, who have been together for about a year.

Douglas, who has another shop called Fox’s Sandwich Deli in Ewood, used to work in St Mary’s College kitchen but after the college recently closed, he had some time to embark on a new business venture.

The Olive Branch on Redlam (Image: Douglas Power)

The owner and manager signed the lease for The Olive Branch on October 1 and says he is impressed with what they’ve done so far.

He said: “We’ve just done a soft opening where we put the door open and see what happens.

“The businesses nearby have been using us, like the salon and the doctor’s surgery down the road. They’re all using us and are very pleased we’ve opened because the deli before us had been closed for some time.

“We’ve been refurbishing it to feel more like a café now with tables inside now and two outside tables so people can come in and have a coffee from a proper coffee machine for speciality coffees and have a homemade cake.

“We’re trying to do it a bit nicer now, so people feel comfortable here.”

The Olive Branch interior (Image: Douglas Power)

Before his partner Amy became a respiratory nurse in Wakefield, she was a professional pâtisserie chef so customers can expect to be served top-quality pastries.

Douglas said: “She’s been so excited to do her baking again in between working on her days off. She’s enjoying what she does.

“Whilst I was building furniture last night, she was up all night baking ready for the next day.”

Cementing the value of family into the business, Douglas named the cafe The Olive Branch after one of his five daughters, Olivia.

He continued: “It’s great because we’ve all done this together. It’s something we’ve done and had our own input in how it looks and the colour scheme for example.

“Seeing it come together has been really exciting. We couldn’t sleep the night before our sign was getting put up. We’ve achieved this together and we absolutely love it and are excited to keep going. It’s rewarding a real sense of achievement.”

One customer left a positive review on a local Facebook group raving about the diverse menu. He said: “Honestly always sceptical about new sandwich shops but been here quite a few times for breakfast, dinner and even for cakes.

“One of my favourites is the Steak Canadian and Lotus Biscoff cheesecake, great menu! You won’t be disappointed.” 

The Olive Branch is currently open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 4.30pm but is looking at opening on Sundays in the future once they’ve got the right staff balance.