At the end of the First World War, the Bannerman family reopened the Grand Hôtel after a long closure and costly renovation.

At the end of World War I, the Bannerman family re-opens the Grand Hotel after a lengthy closure and a costly re-furbishing. The hotel has been in the family for a long time and John Bannerman and his wife Sarah desperately want to make a go of it. Their son Stephen has returned from the wars without any physical harm but still suffers from the mental anguish of seeing so many of his comrades-in-arms falling on the battlefield. When they learn that their accountant has squandered what little money they had left, they must turn to John's brother Marcus, a successful businessman who has eschewed any interest in the hotel over the years but now seems ready to plunge into the business with both feet. He also has an interest in Sarah. For the most part, the staff take pride in their work and are lead by the Hall Porter, Jacob Collins, who lost his son in the war and by Kate Morris one of the chamber maids who, by force of her own personality, is bound to make an impression on anyone who meets her. With the arrival of a permanent guest, Miss Esme Harkness, the cast is set for much drama as their lives, hopes and dreams all become intertwined.—garykmcd

Drama set both above and below stairs in an opulent Manchester hotel after World War I. A cross between Upstairs, Downstairs (1971) and The Duchess of Duke Street (1976). The hotel is owned by brothers John and Marcus Bannerman, with John's wife Sarah holding a casting vote. John is dull but reliable; Marcus is devious, unscrupulous - and in love with Sarah. Mr Collins is the head porter; his son died in the war but he is too proud to let his grief show. Kate Morris and Monica Jones are chambermaids who dream of bettering themselves: things look up for Monica when one of the long-term guests, Esme Harkness (an ageing prostitute!), takes her under her wing and teaches her how to be a lady.—Martin Underwood <[email protected]>