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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Beth Cruse

Dragons Den's Deborah Meaden withdraws offer after couple get 'too greedy'

Deborah Meaden made the 'rare move' of withdrawing her offer on tonight's Dragons Den, after a pair of budding entrepreneurs became "too greedy" with their counter-offer.

Julia and Lee pitched their 'Camp Wildfire' idea to the dragons tonight (Thursday, January 20) - which they described as a "summer camp for adults".

They offered a five per cent stake in their business in return for £75,000 worth of investment.

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The idea divided the dragons but Deborah - who has expertise in the holiday park industry - said she "loved it".

She made the pair an offer saying she could "clearly see" where the business could go despite its "serious structural problems".

"I'm going to offer you all of the money, and I want 25 percent of the business," she said, "which I think is a much more realistic valuation."

In usual Dragons Den style, Julia and Lee discussed the offer, and could be heard whispering: "Obviously I think Deborah's amazing, but we don't want to give away too much now."

Lee made a new proposition, saying: "We would like to ask if it would be possible to do 20 per cent, and if we hit our numbers, which we believe we can, would you be willing to roll back to the five per cent that we pitched?"

The dragons looked shocked, as Deborah replied: "Five per cent? No. That kind of misses the point because if I'm having an impact on this business then I'll part of you achieving your £315,000.

"It's completely illogical, so no is the answer."

Lee then put another counter offer to the dragon, offering a 20 per cent stake.

"Do you know, in your last counter offer I've got to tell you I nearly fell off my chair," Deborah said.

"I'm getting insights into how you are going to be when you go out there and you do business.

"And do you know what, I'm afraid I withdraw my offer, I'm out."

Deborah Meaden on Dragons Den (BBC)

Reacting to the drama on Twitter, @_thecompassrose wrote: "I’m dying. This is what happens when people are greedy!"

Meanwhile @MiSHsWilli commented: "I’m not even a business person yet you don’t from 20 percent to five #dragonsden"

@FacileTalk added: "Don't diss the Debbie!"

Dragons Den airs on Thursday nights at 8pm on BBC One

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