MLegg

Published at 01:00, Friday, 01 June 2007

By Matthew Legg

DRAGONS’ Den star Duncan Bannatyne made a flying visit to Carlisle as part of a TV show featuring a city businesswoman.

The multi-millionaire health club owner was filmed checking on the progress of his protegé Denise Hutton, who secured a £50,000 investment for her Razzamatazz chain of theatre schools from the Scot on the BBC business show last year.

As one of a select few who tamed the notoriously fiery Dragons on the last series of the programme, Denise will feature in a follow-up edition in July.

Bannatyne was filmed watching children perform at Razzmatazz’s Carlisle headquarters and he and Denise gave their thoughts on her progress so far.

Denise said: “The kids were very excited to perform for Duncan, and Duncan was suitably impressed by them and the teachers.

“The whole process of Dragons’ Den until now has been a bit of a whirlwind. It’s all happened very quick, but we’re all very excited at the prospect of working with Duncan further.”

Razzamatazz’s rise has been spectacular since Bannatyne’s investment.

Denise has secured a lucrative three-year deal with Thomsons Holiday Group to teach children in its ‘super family plus hotels’ in Europe. Two teachers will fly out to take classes this year, with 10 going out next summer.

Six new Razzamatazz franchises are set to open in Stirling, Hexham, Sutton Coldfield, Lichfield, Chichester and another in Cumbria.

And Bannatyne has allowed Denise to pilot the service in two of his health clubs in Durham and Milton Keynes.

Denise also runs Phake Tanning and Beauty Salon in Denton Holme, Carlisle.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk