Posted by 
The man behind a former Preston restaurant has been banned from running businesses after abusing a Covid-19 support scheme.
Dean Wilson opened Olive Tree Brasserie in Miller Arcade in 2014 and the venue was a well known city presence for around seven years. It closed down in August 2021, with Mr Wilson issuing a statement saying the restaurant had been unable to agree a new deal with its landlord.
The company was eventually liquidated with six-figure debts, including more than £250,000 due to HMRC and almost £70,000 owed in utility bills.
Read more: This story was first sent to subscribers of The Lancashire Lead newsletter
A further £50,000 was owed to National Westminster bank in respect of borrowings which were taken out under the Bounce Back Loan scheme (BBL).
BBL was set up during the pandemic to help small and medium businesses survive loss of trade caused by lockdown and social distancing measures and allowed firms to receive a low-interest loan of up to £50,000.
This came with conditions including only being able to take a loan from one provider and only using the money for genuine business needs, with the money lent by high street banks and backed by the Government to reduce risk to directors.
During the insolvency process, it was uncovered that Wilson had actually taken two £50,000 loans out under the scheme, in direct breach of the rules of the scheme and in contradiction of a declaration that he had not already applied for one.
An investigation found that he had done the same with the businesses set up for the other three Olive Tree Brasserie branches – in Lytham, Chester, and Stockton Heath – and in turn transferred around £200,000 into her personal account.
These transfers again breached the rules and the Insolvency Service found no evidence the money had been used for the benefit of the businesses. It was also found that the second loans were not declared on his statement of affairs created during the liquidation process.
The 39-year-old, of Chandlers Rest, Lytham St Annes, has now been handed a 10-and-a-half year ban
In August 2021, less than six weeks after the second £50,000 loan was paid to the Olive Tree Brasserie Preston Ltd, Wilson announced the closure of that restaurant.
On the venue’s Facebook page, he wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the sudden closure of our beloved Olive Tree Brasserie restaurant in Preston. Our other landlords have been great and supported us through the challenges that the restaurant industry has faced due to covid. However, after a difficult 18 months, the ongoing negotiations with our Preston Landlord have sadly come to a disappointing end.
“We would like to thank all of our loyal customers, many of whom have enjoyed the brand over many years as well as our dedicated Preston team for all their hard work and passion in making the Olive Tree Brasserie Preston experience one to remember.
“Thankfully all Preston staff members are keeping their jobs and will be working at our Lytham restaurant. Our Lytham, Stockton Heath & Chester restaurants remain unaffected and are open as usual. We want to assure you that the Olive Tree Brand is stronger than ever and we have an exciting future ahead.”
Since then, a further brasserie has opened under the same name in Leeds. According to the glowing biography on the website for the Olive Tree Brasserie chain of restaurants, the success of the restaurant’s staff is attributed to founder and director Wilson’s “commitment to leading by example”.
Proudly vouching for his vegan and environmentally-friendly credentials, the website explains how Wilson opened his first Greek restaurant in St Annes 2007, with a Preston site following in Miller Arcade in 2014.
The success continued and a Chester branch followed in 2016 and two years later there was another Lancashire site in Lytham (replacing the St Annes one) and a second Cheshire site in Stockton Heath.
But as a result of the sanction Wilson can no longer be involved in running any businesses.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
