A Greek restaurant that opened in Basingstoke last year celebrated its first birthday yesterday (Saturday).

Greek Street by Snezana's Catering in Chineham Shopping Centre marked the special day with cake cutting.

Among the people who wished the popular restaurant a happy birthday was Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, who said Greek Street’s is another great local business success story in Basingstoke Borough.

The family-run restaurant is owned by mother-of-three Suzanna Collings, who has been running a Greek catering business for the last six years after being made redundant by Tesco.

The 45-year-old, from Winklebury, wrote on Facebook: “So a year ago today we opened our little Greek Street cafe/takeaway. Gosh how many sleepless nights did I have thinking of what am I doing opening a restaurant in a pandemic.

“But thanks to all of you and your continued support, we are here open a year later and this turn out to be best thing ever. Thank you so much to all my family and my amazing team for your great support and of course hard work.”

Suzanna, who is half-Greek, has been running a Greek catering business at festivals, and had had a takeaway trailer at Chineham Shopping Centre for a few months before opening the restaurant.

She decided to expand after a unit previously occupied by Trawlerman fish and chip shop became available and turned her dream to reality within three weeks of signing the lease.

However, the business suffered a set-back just before the grand opening after the restaurant was broken into, with tools stolen and a door damaged.

But a determined Suzanna did not let herself down and opened the restaurant on the scheduled date.

“I always wanted a café, it’s been one of my dreams but it’s never the right time,” explained Suzanna, who was born in Serbia.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Councillor for Chineham and Sherfield Park, Laura Edwards wished the restaurant, writing: “Happy first birthday Greek street, Chineham. A whole year of tasty food and scrummy cakes.”