CAKE was most definitely on the menu at a town centre cafe which has just celebrated its first birthday in Bolton.

Amico, on Corporation Street, near the Market Place, is the realisation of one woman's dreams.

Anastasia Rotaru, aged 31, grew up in Dubasarii Vechi village in Moldova but decided to emigrate aged 27 to fulfil her coffee dream in the UK.

"It was very hard to set up a business in Moldova," said Anastasia.

"I always had in my mind what I wanted and I wasn’t going to compromise much, but Bolton was perfect and everyone is so friendly."

The cafe with an Italian twist ­— Amico meaning friend in Italian ­— was recently featured in The Bolton News in January as one of its top five places in Bolton to enjoy a good breakfast.

Anastasia said: "Over the year we have grown to a team of five. I was so pleased to read our review in The Bolton News that we are friendly - this is who we are and we are proud to serve Bolton."

Amico has benefited from 100 per cent business rates relief which the council hopes will attract more "independent, successful business" and help more young entrepreneurs fulfil their dreams in Bolton.

Bolton Council leader, Cllr Linda Thomas said: "Anastasia is serving up something really special in Bolton ­— it is a real Bolton success story. An independent, successful business helping this young woman realise her dream.

"This is excellent news and it’s the human side to a lot of the talking up we do of the multi-million pound developments committing to the town centre."

Cllr Thomas added: “Urban and brownfield sites are our focus and we are already working with our partners to deliver new much needed homes. It’s businesses like Amico which help people live, work, study, visit the town centre.”

Amico is open from 9am until 7pm Monday to Saturday and from 9:30am to 5pm Sunday