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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Apprentice winner Alana Spencer 'so upset' after vandals smash windows of coffee van

The Apprentice winner Alana Spencer has said she's "so upset" after her vintage coffee van had its windows smashed.

Alana, 30, who won the BBC show in 2016 after securing an investment from Lord Alan Sugar for her cake and chocolate business, Ridiculously Rich by Alana, suffered a set back when her van was damaged while parked by the seafront.

The vibrant blue vehicle had been parked outside the Ridiculously Rich café in Craig Y Don, Llandudno, since November after a tyre had been damaged.

This week, photos of the van with it's shattered windows were shared on social media, asking if anyone knows the owners, which prompted Alana to reply.

Alana Spencer won The Apprentice back in 2016 (PA)

The entrepreneur from Aberystwyth wrote: "Hello all, it’s my van. Honestly so upset! We can’t get it until next week.

"Been waiting on a part for the tyre that broke and that just arrived. Now we need to fix this. Thank you to all the kind people who have been in touch. As if business isn’t tough enough at the moment. I really hope they catch who did it because it’s just not ok!!"

The van was bought in 2021 and had long been a dream of Alana's.

Alana Spencer's vintage coffee van had its windows smashed (Daily Post Wales)

North Wales Live reports that she had wanted a van since was 17 and attended festivals with just a table and apple crates to display her cakes.

She used to look at the festival vans and think "one day".

It has been an eventful 12 months for Alana, as in June she was hospitalised after suffering four broken ribs in an accident at work.

She took to Instagram to share the news with her 48,000 followers, which included a snap of her laid on a stretcher surrounded by paramedics.

The businesswoman could still afford a smile, however, before being wheeled into a waiting ambulance.

Alana with her coffee van before it was damaged (Instagram)

She captioned the post: "People often ask me why I insist upon doing all of my own manual work and have been telling me for years that I should always hire professionals instead.

"Well, today, for the first time ever, I think I'm prepared to admit…that they may be right!"

Her followers were quick to offer their sympathy and support on the social media platform with one user commenting: "Four broken ribs and you still have a smile on your face! Hoping you have a speedy recovery!"

Another responded: "Oh no Alana! Please take good care of yourself and get well very soon. Sending love."

A third added: "Hope you're okay Alana. Sending you love and hope you get better soon. Hey don't be scared to get some support."

Alana has opened cafes since her Apprentice win (Daily Post Wales)

Following her Apprentice win, Alana gone on to open a number of shops, which offer coffee and cakes around Wales, including in her home town of Aberystwyth, plus Llandudno and Caernarfon.

Alana originally established the business - then Narna's Cakes - in 2010 in a village on the outskirts of Aberystwyth on the west Welsh coast when she was just 16.

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