Pictured, from left, are Paul Hopwood, owner of Nuthurst Grange and Dave O’Dwyer, Senior Manager Corporate Business for Allied Irish Bank Birmingham

Allied Irish Bank (GB) has backed a multi million pound independent acquisition and future expansion of Nuthurst Grange in Solihull.
The initial £3m deal signals a new era for the country house hotel and restaurant and refurbishment plans got underway immediately.
A further £1m investment in the hotel, awarded a Gold Star by the English Tourist Board, is planned for 2007.
Nuthurst Grange is set in 7.5 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland in Hockley Heath and is currently home to 15 bedrooms, conference facilities and a multi award-winning restaurant.
All 22 staff have been retained in the deal which was advised by Birmingham accountants Meager Wood & Locke & Co, solicitors Harrison Clarke in Worcester and Beswicks in Stoke-on-Trent.
Birmingham born new owner of Nuthurst Grange and client of Allied Irish Bank (GB) for 20 years, Paul Hopwood, said: "It was a natural step for me to buy the hotel which has such great potential. It just needs greater focus, an injection of fresh energy and a lot of tlc.
"The professional and family team around me have been fantastic but it would not have been possible without the expertise and market knowledge of Allied Irish Bank (GB) who gave me unequivocal support and guidance. They were with me every step of the way, 24 hours a day and I was working directly with one of the most senior managers in the West Midlands region - unheard of anywhere else in today's modern banking environment.
"Allied Irish are most definitely going to be part of my future team in realising my ambitions here at Nuthurst Grange during the next few years."
Immediate renovation works at Nuthurst Grange were due to be completed by the end of October and include the launch of a new cocktail bar, the expansion of existing private dining facilities together with a general interior décor upgrade.
Future plans include the renovation of the chapel for on-site weddings, an additional 30 bedrooms, independent log cabins set in the wooded area and generating a greater awareness of the helicopter pad facilities on site.
Dave O'Dwyer, senior manager corporate business for Allied Irish Bank Birmingham said: "Paul has more than 20 years experience in the hotel trade and has remarkable expertise to apply to the future of Nuthurst Grange.
"Formerly part owner with his parents of the Bridge House Hotel Paul has been searching for a fresh challenge for a year or so and we have regularly chatted through potential acquisitions and ideas during this period. Nuthurst Grange presented the perfect solution. Allied Irish Bank (GB) has a wealth of experience in this fast growing regional service sector and we will continue to play an instrumental role in watching the hotel blossom in years to come."