Dragons’ Den TrackerWhat Happened to Didsbury Gin After Dragons’ Den?
Didsbury Gin appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2019, Series 16 Episode 13. The business was a gin based alcoholic beverages. They secured investment from Jenny Campbell on the show. The company went into liquidation in 2024.
The Pitch
Liam Manton and Mark Smallwood walked into the Den in 2019 with a gin based alcoholic beverages. They were asking for £75,000 in exchange for 33.3% of the business.
The pitch landed well enough in the Den that at least one Dragon decided to back it.
The Deal
A deal was struck on the show. Jenny Campbell offered £75,000 for 33.3%, and Liam Manton and Mark Smallwood accepted.
It’s worth noting that Dragons’ Den deals agreed on camera often go through further negotiation off-screen. Some complete as shown; others are renegotiated or never finalise at all. The company’s subsequent trading history is the clearest indicator of what actually happened.
What Happened After the Show
Didsbury Gin did not survive long-term. The company was dissolved in 2024, some 5 years after the pitch.
This is not an unusual outcome. The majority of businesses that appear on Dragons’ Den, deal or no deal, don’t make it in the long run. The show can provide a platform and capital, but it can’t substitute for a sustainable business model.
Is Didsbury Gin Still in Business?
No. Didsbury Gin is no longer in business. Based on available records, the company is liquidation (2024).
Related Companies
If you’re curious about other businesses from the same episode, you might also want to look at Van de Sant, The Magic Candy Factory, Mi Mam's Yorkshire pies. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.
