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Daily Record
Daily Record
Entertainment
Bev Lyons

Panther Milk on Dragons' Den: Scots entrepreneur who secured offer reveals deal fell through off-screen

A Scots entrepreneur who accepted Deborah Meaden's offer on Dragon's Den has revealed their deal fell through off-screen, but she is still helping him.

Former Sub Club owner Paul Crawford, from Glasgow, wowed Deborah Meaden with his Vegan Panther Milk cocktail which is made from oat milk.

As viewers watched on Thursday night, Paul had initially asked Deborah for £50,000 for 7% of his company but ended up giving her 25% after she initially asked for 30%.

The drink, which is a favourite at Banana Moon in the West End which held a Dragon's Den screening party on Thursday night, has roots in 1920s Spain, and Paul tasted it at a festival in Barcelona.

On the telly show, Sara Davies wasn't convinced by the taste while Steven Bartlett felt it needed big marketing.

Deborah however told him: "I think you are spot on... I think the name is great and I think this is very exciting."

And following Paul's acceptance of her offer, Sara Davies said: "Mate she might just make you a millionaire."

The Panther Milk range (Panther Milk)

Paul has now revealed what happened after the show.

He exclusively told The Daily Record: "It was quite difficult because the business is very very young and I have very high aspirations for it.

"I had a figure in my mind which was seven and a half per cent and I knew I'd have to negotiate to get a Dragon on board but not twenty five per cent which was quite a tough one to try and take."

He added: "We didn't actually move forward with the investment.

"I realised I was going to have to raise a lot more money and Deborah realised it too so we never moved forward on it, but she has been really supportive.

"I've got her mobile and she's been giving her advice to me and has been really great.

"She emailed me the other day to say she put us forward for a show called Love Your Weekend on ITV for a cocktail section at easter and she is so lovely, and she is so warm and has been so helpful. It's in her personality.

"If Deborah likes something she just likes to help people which is a great way to be."

Paul has been inundated with messages since appearing on the show from people wanting to stock his product so it doesn't look like his time in the Den did him any harm.

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