Gerry's Big Decision pays off for O'Hanlons

Bosses of a small brewery have had their fortunes transformed after business mogul Sir Gerry Robinson chose to invest in their firm.

Liz and John O'Hanlon, who run O'Hanlon's Brewing Company in Devon, have just completed deals to supply Punch Taverns and Heavitree Brewery with their award-winning beers.

Punch will offer O'Hanlon's Yellow Hammer beer to 700 of its pubs as a guest ale from August until October, while Heavitree Brewery will offer Yellow Hammer and Firefly as guest ales in August.

According to Liz, the brewery was struggling after expanding "too rapidly". The couple had borrowed an extra £750,000 against their home, which they stood to lose if they couldn't find a cash injection for the brewery.

Robinson stumped up £200,000, in exchange for shares in the company, as part of a new Channel 4 show, Gerry's Big Decision. The Dragon's Den-style programme shows Robinson, former Granada Television boss, visiting failing businesses and deciding whether he should invest in them.

"Having Sir Gerry behind the scenes has helped, I mean, who better?" said Liz, before adding: "But we've always been proactive anyway."

He also offered Hampshire's Itchen Valley Brewery £150,000. Malcolm Grey and his girlfriend, Jane Fuller, were in dire straits, despite Fuller selling her home and investing £130,000.

Robinson made the investment on condition that she would take over running the business from Grey.

Robinson maintains close involvement with both businesses, and his son, Richard, visits the breweries and reports progress back to his father.