THIRTY years ago this autumn, the miners were on strike, famine was rife in Ethiopia and Ronald Reagan was poised to snatch a second term as US President and re-stoke the fires of the Cold War.

Wham!, Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Madonna were rocking the charts and popcorn movies such as Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones and Beverly Hills Cop were the box-office draws of the day.

In York, the big story of the year was the Coppergate development, complete with the Jorvik Viking Centre and shopping area, featuring a new department store for the city. On November 16, 1984, Fenwick opened its doors, bringing to York a mix of leading fashion, beauty, home and gifts.

On Thursday evening, Fenwick will host a 30th birthday bash to celebrate. Customers will be greeted with Prosecco and canapés provided by Carluccio's, the new in-store restaurant, as well as enjoy lucky-dip discounts on purchases, all the while being entertained by York party band, Huge.

The party will give people a chance to check out the new-look women's wear department on the first floor, complete with the Designer Room featuring fashions from Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and Marc Jacobs as well as other top names.

Julie Wilson is one of Fenwick's longest serving members of staff. Currently head of operations, Julie started her career at Fenwick as personnel manager in 1986, two years after the company opened in York.

The business remains family owned; the first store opened in Newcastle in 1882. The Fenwicks originated from Richmond in North Yorkshire. Today, they own 11 stores across England, with a flagship in Bond Street, London, opened since 1891.

Julie remembers Fenwick offering a point of difference to York shoppers back in the Eighties. She said: "York had other department stores at that time: there was competition from Leak and Thorpe on Coney Street and Browns. We had a reputation as being aspirational – but affordable.

"We used to have a hairdressing salon too, and people used to come in for that."

Julie says the eager anticipation York felt over the arrival of John Lewis and the Vangarde shopping centre at Monks Cross this year was probably on a par with the Coppergate development back in 1984.

"I imagine the city had the same sense of excitement. After all, there was the opening of the Jorvik Viking Centre as well as us."

Archive pictures from opening day show smiling customers bustling through the doors. One of the management team gives a glimmer of fashions from the time – Geraldine Smith, the personnel manager before Julie, was wearing a drop-waist dress with pleated bat wing sleeves.

More snaps from the Fenwick files illustrate a fashion event from 1986, showcasing all the excesses of Eighties' style such as garish prints, twin sets and oversized shoulder pads and clutch bags. For men, the casual look was sealed by the polo shirt and sweater-tied-over-the-shoulders combo.

Fast forward three decades and the department store has evolved into a destination for top labels in fashion, accessories and cosmetics.

A state-of-the-art beauty hall was opened two years ago, bringing MAC to York and exclusive to Fenwick. This summer, the Designer Room has opened and a Carluccio's restaurant has taken over from where the Fenwick café once was.

Julie is one of many long-servers at the York store. She said: "A lot of our staff have reached 21 years' service and received their gold watches. We have a lot of staff who have been here ten and 15 years or more.

"We have staff who know our customers by name. It's nice for customers to come in here and get such friendly service."

To attend Fenwick's birthday party on Thursday, please apply to yorkreception@fenwick.co.uk. Please note numbers may be restricted for the event.