Dragons' den duo visit circus school venture they backed

By Tom Derbyshire on March 6, 2008 2:41 PM |

Tagged with:

DRAGONS’ Den tycoons took part in daredevil stunts over at their circus school venture in Trinity Buoy Wharf.

Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis, from the BBC show which helps cash-strapped entrepreneurs achieve their dreams, visited The Generating Company to see how their £160,000 investment was being used.

The outspoken multi-millionaires took to the trapeze with members of the Docklands company, but it was all too much for a tanned Peter, who had to be rubbed down with Tiger Oil after twisting his knee.

Theo, who made his fortune running La Senza and Ryman the Stationer, said: “We’re not used to this. I’m used to swinging from chandeliers. Peter looks like a newborn giraffe.

“I remember after investing in The Generating Company and going home after filming. My children were quite amused when I told them I’d spent their inheritance on a circus school.”

The Generating Company’s MD Paul Cockle left the Dragons’ Den with the massive cash boost for 40 per cent of the business back in series two. His company devises and produces circus theatre shows across the globe and also runs evening classes from its Trinity Buoy Wharf rehearsal space, just east of Canary Wharf.

Peter said: “I thought it was a very different, exciting and challenging investment. And Paul presented on the show very well, which is a very important part of it. We’re certainly not passive investors, people on Dragons’ Den need mentors as well as money.”

Theo added: “I think it’s a fantastic investment, it’s not something we’re going to get instant payback on, but we are thinking of this becoming a worldwide brand.”

Theo and Peter also run adventure company Red Letter Days, and there is the possibility of the two companies working together to provide circus-themed experiences.

During the visit last Wednesday (February 27) the pair spoke with Paul and artistic director Abigail Yeates about future projects, such as the launch of Atelier du Cirque, a creative centre in Bergerac, France, ventures in Singapore and Paris and a touring circus workshop on a P&O cruise ship.

HE joined forces with Simon Cowell for American Inventor, a series which sees Americans
pitting their inventions against each other to win $1million.

But that didn’t stop Peter Jones blasting his friend’s reality shows such as X Factor and American Idol, with their promise of instant fame and fortune.

He said: “I do still think that business is the new Rock ‘n’ Roll. I get sick of seeing kids who if they’re asked what they want to be, they just say ‘famous,’ or to be on Big Brother.

“But shows like Dragons’ Den show them you can make a success of yourself through working hard.”

Theo added: “Absolutely. These kids need to realise that they have to work to create something. You can aim for the stars, but chances are you’ll just hit the moon. Then you can carry on and get to the stars.”

Peter: “Yes, you can’t just get there in one leap. Life is not that easy.”

Theo: “That’s why Dragons’ Den is such a great show. It shows you have to work at it.

“Although we all hate each other really; we’re all duelling in the car park afterwards. But not with Deborah, we all love Deborah.”

The sixth season of Dragons’ Den is being filmed in April, to be screened in June.

Story written by Kay Harrison
kay.harrison@wharf.co.uk