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Dragons' tent firm folds

Anger as kids’ tent firm Just For Tiny People given £50,000 by Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden has gone bust

Handmade tents tents cost £175 each and the business slumped — forcing liquidators to move in

A KIDS’ tent firm given £50,000 by Deborah Meaden on TV’s Dragons’ Den has gone bust.

Just For Tiny People boss Effie Moss went on the hit show three years ago saying she needed the cash to boost production of her "magical" teepees.

 Effie Moss makes her case to the Dragons
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Effie Moss makes her case to the DragonsCredit: BBC

She told the show she made £48,000 profit from £124,000 turnover in her first year.

But sales of the handmade tents, costing up to £175, slumped — forcing liquidators to move in.

Mums on Facebook site Kicks Count accused Moss of offering Christmas payment plans for goods when she knew the firm was going under.

Gemma Gosling, of Guernsey, fumed: “They owe me £80. Nearly impossible to get my money back once they go into liquidation.”

Others said orders took ages to arrive.

Former Marks and Spencer businesswoman Moss issued a statement on her business website: "I appreciate there is much speculation about JTFP.

 Deborah Meaden gave the firm £50,000
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Deborah Meaden gave the firm £50,000Credit: BBC

 

"I am sorry, I am unable to comment with regards to the business as that is now being handled in the right way with the company hired to close it down.

"I genuinely understand that people are angry and I am sorry for the upset this has caused."

Deborah Meaden was unavailable for comment.

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