BUSINESS partners, Simon Usher and Mark Reilly have taken over the Park View Guest House on Grosvenor Terrace in York with help from a loan of more than £250,000 from Bank of Scotland Business Banking in York.

Simon said: "We originally considered setting up a coffee shop but rents in York and an already competitive market deterred us. So when Park View came on the market, we jumped at the chance."

Mark said: "My background is in management consultancy and Simon was previously the catering manger for Browns department store in York, so by marrying the two, Park View was the perfect proposition for us."

The seven-room bed and breakfast was too good an opportunity to miss for Simon and Mark, who plan to renovate and redecorate the guest house.

Mark said: "We want to reflect the style of the property so our guests can enjoy returning to a comfortable, period town house with a friendly, welcoming atmosphere after walking the cobbled streets of York."

Keith Humphreys, new business manager at Bank of Scotland in York, said: "We were delighted to be able to help Simon and Mark with their own business venture. They needed the peace of mind that the funding would be in place when required, which is exactly what we've been able to provide."

Simon said: "Visitors to York want to immerse themselves in the history of the city. By sympathetically restoring Park View we hope that our guests will feel that York's heritage doesn't stop at the doorstep."

The guest house enjoys views of the Minster and is close to the city centre.

Updated: 11:45 Tuesday, June 24, 2003