A ‘unique’ umbrella was featured on Dragons’ Den (Image: BBC)
New Yorker Reid and his British friend Trip were sick of the rainy weather – so they came up with a solution by remaking the umbrella. The entrepeneurs showcased their “unique” brolly, the Gilley, in front of ‘s Dragons’ Den.
But their thunderous pitch ended in bad luck, which fans predicted as soon as they opened a number of umbrellas indoors. The businessmen were asking for £50,000 in return for 3% of their company.
Reid explained: “At Gilley we are redesigning the umbrella by creating one that works better than others and won’t end up in landfill as so many do annually.” Trip added on to the pitch saying that there are a “few things that make Gilley a very unique umbrella.”
He shared that the brolly can be “completely dry” after use due to having a “hard, water-tight case which then doubles up as an optional handle.” The hopeful continued: “This means that once you’ve used the umbrella you simply close it, pop it away into the case and then it doesn’t drip everywhere and make all your things soaking wet.”
The co-workers then shared that each product costs £9 to make but they are selling them to customers at £37 a piece – brewing up a storm with fans of the show at home.
The businessmen failed to secure an investment (Image: BBC)
Flabbergasted viewers took to social media to share their disbelief. On X/Twitter, one wrote: “£37 for a brolly??? They must be joking #dragonsden.”
“£37 for an umbrella. I don’t walk far… I’ll take me chances on getting wet. #DragonsDen,” another echoed while a third commented: “An umbrella in a phallic sheath? For £37? You know where you can stick that.#dragonsden.”
One more asked: “Anyone else just shove the umbrella in a plastic bag when out and about? Don’t get the point of this overpriced one. Amazon have ones with a nicer looking design for £7 #dragonsden.”
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The umbrella sells for £37 (Image: BBC)
However, others didn’t mind the price quite so much and seemed intrigued by the product. One said: “I’ve actually bought expensive umbrellas before but they were the big golf ones from John Lewis!
“Very durable. Not sure about their umbrella product. #DragonsDen.”
Another added: “I love this umbrella! A bit pricey though! #dragonsden.”