Millions to be invested in hotel

A north Shropshire hotel and golf club is to get a £7m investment following the sale of half the business to one of Britain's fastest growing hotel groups.

The MacDonald chain, which already operates three other hotels in the county, has announced plans to build 80 bedrooms at the Hill Valley complex on the outskirts of Whitchurch, together with a state-of-the-art leisure club and spa.

Hill Valley has been owned by Albert Minshull and his son Tony for nearly 30 years.

But after lengthy negotiations the family have sold a 50% stake in the business to the West Lothian-based MacDonald group which operates 70 hotels nationwide.

They include Albrighton Hall near Shrewsbury, the Buckatree near Telford and Parkhouse at Shifnal.

The Minshalls will continue to manage the two golf courses on the site, while Macdonald run the clubhouse and oversee the new development which is expected to start early next year.