A KINVER hotel has unveiled ambitious expansion plans following a successful funding bid.

After securing £89,000 from the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Jobs and Growth fund, work has started at Dunsley Hall to create a function room, new kitchen facilities, a conservatory and extra bedrooms.

Terrie Beardsmore, who owns the popular wedding venue with her husband Wilf and son Simon, said lack of space had previously forced her to close facilities to other guests when hosting a couple's big day but the expansion will solve that problem.

She added: “We have been stuck on the same turnover for the last four or five years and we couldn’t expand the business. We had reached the point where we were turning away weddings and dinner guests. We’d become too successful for our own good.The grant will change that."

She also plans to recruit 21 new members of staff to help cope with the extra business and added: “This has helped the business a huge amount and we and the staff are absolutely elated – it’s given us the chance to generate more business.”

Matt Hustwit, Jobs and Growth Fund Programme manager at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, added: “Dunsley Hall is one of many projects being supported by the Jobs and Growth Fund.

“With around two thirds of the programme funding committed we are on track to reach our target of 900 jobs.

"There are still nine months for companies in the county to make a bid and we are urging them to get in touch.”

For more information, visit www.nscci.co.uk/jobs-and-growth-fund.php.