BrewDog’s James Watt launches £2million reality TV show after two rejections on Dragons’ Den

BREWDOG’S James Watt is launching a £2million reality TV show after twice being rejected by business programme Dragons’ Den.

He told The Sun his fledgling firm was turned down as a competitor in 2009 when he hoped to go on the show and attract a £100,000 investment.

A few years later he auditioned to be one of the Dragons — but was spurned after a BBC screen test.

He said: “I’m fed up with the tired format of reality TV business shows relying on worn-out tropes and stale stereotypes of entrepreneurs for comedy value.”

His show House Of Unicorns will be produced by Sony and Whisper Productions and will offer the largest TV cash prize in UK history.

Ten businesses are being sought to battle for the cash — £1million is being put up by James, with the other million coming from investor community Founders Capital. ­

Viewers will vote on which business is handed £1million, with the other million decided by James.

 But fans can also invest in the winning businesses.

If a network is not found the show will be broadcast on YouTube.

James, 42, said: “I’m obsessed with business and love helping founders.”

Since stepping down as chief executive of Brewdog last summer, he has invested in 20 businesses.

 The Scot hopes the show this summer will encourage firms to end up as Unicorns, defined as being valued at $1million.

Luke’s up for cup

PUB darts players are being given the chance to challenge arrows superstar Luke Humphries on the oche.

 Marston’s will launch a Cool Hand Cup on February 3.

Competitors have until the end of March to beat the “around the clock” time of the Professional Darts Corporation’s top-ranked player at the chain’s participating pubs.

The best two from each region will go through to the final — and line up against the 2024 world champion, right.

Marston’s — which has 1,334 pubs — said it had a record Christmas Day with food and drink sales over the five-day yuletide period up 11 per cent.

Boss Justin Platt said: “I’m pleased to report a solid first-quarter performance with a ­particularly strong key festive trading period.”

Total sales in the group’s managed and partnership pubs for the 16-week period to January 18 climbed three per cent.

The chain bounced back to profit in the year to September and cut its debt burden .

Bills put boot in for shoe company

STRUGGLING retailer Shoe Zone said profits plunged 38 per cent to £10.1million in the year to the end of September.

Revenue at the 297-strong Leicester-based chain slipped 2.7 per cent to £161million.

The company – which employs 2,250 workers across the country – was forced to warn over profits twice at the end of last year.

It reduced the number of its shops by 26 over the year.

And it blamed the profits fall on higher costs for shipping, energy, wages and store refits.

Chairman Charles Smith said: “The reduction is primarily due to the challenging second half trading environment, as a result of unseasonal weather conditions, particularly in peak summer, higher container prices, higher energy costs, higher depreciation charges — due to increased capital expenditure — and higher wage costs due to the National Living Wage increase.”

He added the firm is “actively reducing” its cost base.

Shoe Zone’s shares have fallen by around 60 per cent in the past year. But they bounced back slightly yesterday, rising five per cent when traders had feared worst news.

Kipling exceeds targets

EXCEEDINGLY good mince pie sales — up 20 per cent — helped Mr Kipling owner Premier Foods over Christmas.

With the firm’s premium ranges such as Ambrosia Deluxe desserts, Bisto Best Gravy and Mr Kipling Signature Brownie Bites also performing well, the business said overall sales were up three per cent to £360million in the 13 weeks to December 28.

Other high selling brands included Indian condiments maker The Spice Tailor, which benefited from Diwali celebrations and the launch of East Asian sauce kits.

Overseas sales climbed 29 per cent after the launch of new ranges like flavoured bakewell tarts boosted Kipling cakes’ popularity in Australia.

New ranges helped demand for Loyd Grossman cooking sauces. Boss Alex Whitehouse predicted profits for the year of £180million-£186million.

117K Brits go broke

THE number of people who went bankrupt in England and Wales climbed by 14 per cent last year, according to the Insolvency Service.

Some 117,947 personal insolvencies were registered at the government body in 2024.

But there was much more positive news from the world of business.

The number of companies that collapsed in 2024 — 23,872 — was five per cent lower than the previous year.

Paving the way

LANDSCAPING and paving supplier Marshalls expects the industry to build up again — despite revenue falling eight per cent to £619m last year.

Boss Matt Pullen said: “The group is well positioned to capitalise on the market recovery, which is expected to build progressively through the year”.

He warned the recovery could be hit by market uncertainty, and a £3m increase in costs from higher National Insurance contributions.

Net debt was cut by around a sixth to £134million.

THE British Business Bank says it has helped support 209,000 smaller businesses since it started in 2014.

That has helped generate £43billion in additional economic output and created 250,000 additional jobs, the Bank said.

Aldi pay boost

ALDI will hand in-store workers a pay rise in March, raising its minimum hourly rate to £12.71, up from £12.40.

London workers will see their hourly pay rise to at least £14, up from £13.65.

Aldi employs 45,000 people across 1,020 stores. Aldi’s UK boss Giles Hurley said: “Our colleagues are the best in the business.”

Second-best paying supermarket Sainsbury’s will raise its minimum to £12.60 in August. Third best is Lidl, where store workers get at least £12.40.