Beach Break decline Dragon's offer

Fans of Dragons’ Den may remember student festival organisers Celia Norowzian and Ian Forshew, who gave an impressive pitch and won a deal with Peter Jones. The confident duo sought investment to turn their Beach Break Live event into a major date on the student calendar.

In an audacious move, the couple actually turned down Jones’ offer before the show was broadcast. Viewers will have been unaware, but a partnership with event and travel specialist Outgoing Ltd, had already been agreed.

The show went out in October, but during the summer Beach Break Live had received some key accolades – including a nomination for Best New Festival at The UK Festival Awards.

This had created interest in the music industry and attracted Outgoing, who are involved with the highly-regarded Bestival event and sell student party packages across Europe.

Celia Norowzian says: “Peter totally understood and accepts that this is a great opportunity for us. When we were frank and open with him regarding alternative options, Peter personally advised us to pursue this opportunity further.

“Peter is delighted to see young entrepreneurs pursuing their dream and agrees that this opportunity should be better for us at the current stage of development.

“We’re going to be working with some of the biggest pros in the industry. After a lot of thought and debate, we decided that the opportunity to work with the people responsible for events such as Bestival and Snow Bombing was simply too good to refuse.”

Peter Jones says: “I wish them all the very best. There are many elements that come together to make the right business deal, and this clearly looks just as good going its own way. We shall keep in touch and they have my number if they need advice.”