Shrewsbury soup maker wins backing from the 'Dragons'

A Shropshire entrepreneur has won backing for her burgeoning, young food business on hit BBC show Dragons' Den.

Bella Acland appeared on the show to ask for £40,000 in exchange for ten per cent equity in her Shrewsbury venture Soul Kitchen.

Founded in 2024, the company manufactures natural, plant-based instant soups in partnership with Purition at the Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre on Battlefield Enterprise Park.

After pitching to the panel, Bella agreed a deal for the full £40,000 in exchange for a 15 per cent share with guest 'Dragon' Susie Ma, a former contestant on The Apprentice who founded beauty brand Tropic Skincare.

Since filming the episode last year, 28-year-old Bella says she has enjoyed a strong boost in sales of more than 920 per cent.

She has sold nearly half a million soups and expanded the company's retail presence to more than 100 independent stockists across the UK.

Soul Kitchen has also secured a listing with continental rail operator Eurostar and launched its functional Soul Kitchen+ range which includes high-protein recipes.

Bella said: "Growing up, I never missed an episode of Dragons' Den.

"My family watched it every week and I was fascinated by the entrepreneurs behind the businesses so standing in the Den with Soul Kitchen felt like a genuine full-circle moment.

"So much has happened since I entered the Den. This has been our biggest year yet, with Soul Kitchen growing its customer base, expanding into new retail partnerships and continuing to challenge perceptions of what convenience food can be.

"Now that the episode has aired, I'm excited to share our story with a much wider audience."

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Bella was inspired to create the company while studying zoology at the University of Sheffield.

After her lunch spilled inside her rucksack, she picked up an instant soup from a local supermarket and was left disappointed by its lack of flavour and poor ingredients.

This prompted her to start experimenting with powdered vegetables, superfoods and other nutrient-dense natural ingredients at home before securing a grant from Santander Universities to turn the idea into a business.

"I started Soul Kitchen to show that convenience doesn't have to mean compromise - that products made with real ingredients, bold flavours and thoughtful nutrition can deliver something better," she said.

"We're excited for the next stage of the journey as we continue to grow the brand."

Looking ahead, Bella says she now plans to expand into the instant meal pot category.

"Soup is where we started but our ambition has always been much bigger," she added.