Dragons’ Den star gives lifeline for Peterborough garden recycling business facing Covid-19 closure

The recognition by Theo Paphitis has offered a new lease of life for the fledgling Up The Garden Bath, which faces closure as custom dries up during the coronavirus lockdown.

Retailing guru Theo put the plight of the Peterborough-based enterprise in the national spotlight when he singled out the business as part of his Small Business Sunday campaign (#SBS) on the social media site Twitter.

Founders Dave Poulton and Kez Hayes-Palmer were among six winners to secure a retweet from Theo to his 500,000 plus Twitter followers.

They said: “We’ve only been in business a few months and our order book was full before the coronavirus crisis.”

The business focuses on recycling old bathtubs into educational mini-allotments for schools and community centres and which are used to teach children about nature, recycling techniques and growing their own food.

Mr Poulton said: “Since most schools have been closed we have had to postpone installation of our upcycled bathtub planters.

“The support from Theo has seen our followers grow and demand for our innovative planters soar.

“It is great to have Theo’s support because it’s been tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”

Ahead of the Covid-19 lockdown the business was on the verge of securing funding from a number of organisations.

Mr Poulton said: “These included Buckles Solicitors and BGL Group, which were very keen to help raise awareness of our project.

“We were also due to install one of our mini allotment bathtubs into the gardens of Peterborough Museum on behalf of a day nursery that uses the area.

“We have secured the support of a number of large organisations including Peterborough City Council.

Mr Poulton added: “The coronavirus crisis has seen all our fun, interactive and educational workshops postponed for now.

“But we really wanted to keep busy and encourage others to stay active and get creative.

“So we’ve had to really think outside the box for projects as we find ourselves without our usual tools and supply of materials.”

The couple have created a Carrot Cone Planter from repurposed street cones, which is ideal for vegetables.

They have also stripped back the fabric and foam of a mattress to use the metal springs as a planter.

It can be converted into a living wall with more than 120 sections and used for propagating lettuces and herbs.

They also created a Hedgehog Herb Planter for a local hedgehog rescue centre.

Up the Garden Bath has also been named winner of a Cultivation Street competition and has been approached by Channel 4 to feature on Kirstie Allsopp’s Keep Crafting and Carry On.

Theo said: “I wish Up The Garden Bath every success.

“We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK.”