Ben WoodsAn entrepreneurial Norfolk couple have pledged to invest half a million pounds into a Norfolk hotel that has been shut for 18 months.Nick and Jane Scrivens, who own a cleaning firm and limousine company, have taken out a lease on the Lenwade Country House Hotel, north west of Norwich.Ben Woods

An entrepreneurial Norfolk couple have pledged to invest half a million pounds into a Norfolk hotel that has been shut for 18 months.

Nick and Jane Scrivens, who own a cleaning firm and limousine company, have taken out a lease on the Lenwade Country House Hotel, north west of Norwich.

The couple want to restore the property into a luxury hotel and wedding venue.

Their plans include 31 refurbished bedrooms, a new bridal suite, and revamped restaurant, bars and function rooms.

Long term plans also include the installation of a new conservatory, 10 individually styled themed rooms, and a decking area.

The hotel is set to re-open on July 1 after a preview opening in mid June .

A Michelin star chef, a general manager, and a grounds man have already been employed.

Mrs Scrivens said: 'Initially I was unsure about moving into the hospitality trade, but once I saw the hotel I knew we could make it a success.'

'We plan to have wedding functions and civil weddings here, but we also want to get local people back by offering them good meals.'

'The current Sportsman Bar will be changed into Dudley's Bar, a 20 seat, ultra modern, snack bar that has chesterfield chairs and serves homemade bistro food.'

'The restaurant will be re-launched as The Vines where we will serve very good quality food and a carvery on a Saturday and a Sunday.'

Nick and Jane Scrivens, who are based at the Abbey Farm Commercial Park in Horsham St Faith near Norwich, went into business 14 years ago when they started the contract cleaning company, Sanitec Cleaning Services.

They added to their business with the launch of the limousine rental company, Silverline Limousines, four years ago.

The couple's children, Lewis Renaldy, 26, and Amie Renaldy, 30, will be employed at Lenwade Country House Hotel making it a family run business, Mrs Scrivens said.

The hotel was shut by the previous managers, Taylor James and Christopher Buxton, in January 2009.

The pair opened a zoological garden in the 168 acre grounds that surround the property, but saw the exotic animals removed when the hotel closed.