WHO would have thought running a meat and dairy free restaurant for the last decade could be such a touchy subject.

But for The Oaktree in Leigh, it has certainly delighted its fans, and angered its naysayers, over the years.

Fortunately for them, the people who love the place outweighs the ones who aren’t so keen.

They are the largest vegan restaurant in Essex and have featured on TV as well as local and national radio. Celebrity customers include Russell Brand, Natalie Emannuel, Joe Lycett, Jodie Marsh and Simon Amstell.

“We do receive some backlash from people for being a vegan restaurant but for us it is about having a business that aligns with our principles. You wouldn’t ask for fish and chips in a Chinese restaurant, and yet some people get angry they can’t order meat in a vegan restaurant,” said Jim Anderson 42, who co-owns the restaurant with wife Samantha, 40.

“We are vegan for the animals, not health, or for anything else. We are all about planting the seed of veganism and serving delicious food.”

Echo: The Oaktree founders - Jim and SamThe Oaktree founders - Jim and Sam (Image: Jim Anderson)

When The Oaktree opened its doors in 2013 they advertised it as a vegetarian restaurant and by 2014 they sold mostly vegan food but decided not to announce it.

It was a small deli then with 12 covers and open five days a week. Now they have covers for nearly 100 people inside and out and are open six days a week, employing 20 staff members.

“When we opened it was still a bit of a taboo to be a vegan restaurant, we sold cow’s milk, but for 30p extra, if people wanted that. Then in 2015 we went to India and while we were there, we decided to go for it and launch as vegan,” said Jim, who has been vegan for over 10 years and vegetarian since he was five.

“There were people who didn’t react well to that and found it offensive. Once you something is “vegan” some people don’t like it, an Oreo cookie is vegan it just doesn’t say on packet.”

The popular restaurant is loved for its delicious vegan food, the best sellers is the pie and mash and butternut squash satay curry, both of which have barely changed in 10 years.

Echo: Delicious food - dishes served at The OaktreeDelicious food - dishes served at The Oaktree (Image: Jim Anderson)

“Our core regulars have kept us going and they are the reason we are fully booked at the weekend,” said Jim.

“For vegans they know we are here for them and for people looking to go vegan and they are having a wobble, they can come to us for advice. All of our staff are vegan and are happy to speak to customers about it.”

Jim and Sam and the team are happy to cater to vegans and meat eaters alike.

“50 per cent of our guests are vegan and 50 per cent are meat eaters who like vegan food,” said Jim.

“We don’t mind that at all. We are happy to sow seed of veganism and to be there as an option for people.”

Visit www.oaktreebistro.co.uk.