Yorkshire-based TEA PLUS to launch vitamin-infused tea in Dubai

TEA PLUS is run by the husband and wife team of James and Jade Dawson. They started the business with the help of a £25,000 Start Up Loan in 2016. The firm is expanding to the Middle East following an increase in online orders from the region.

Mr Dawson, whose brand of healthy teas are already stocked in more than 2,000 stores in the UK, said the move to Dubai was in response to the region’s growing interest in healthy living.

The launch in Dubai marks a return there for Mr Dawson, who quit his job in the region in 2015 to follow his dream of becoming his own boss.

The company’s products will be stocked in 400 pharmacies, 300 health stores and other outlets in the first few months after launch.

Mr Dawson said the firm also plans to invest in the country longer term by setting up social media, marketing and a sales teams in a central Dubai office.

Mr Dawson said: “Despite having no background in the food industry, witnessing a huge shift in trends and attitudes during my time in Dubai made me realise there was a gap in the market for a disruptive tea brand both in the Middle East and back home in the UK.

“I took a huge risk leaving a successful career and had faith in my idea, but never thought TEA PLUS would expand globally at such a rapid rate. The loan and support that I received from Start Up Loans made a huge difference to my business – I really wouldn’t be here without it.”

Richard Bearman, Managing Director of Start Up Loans, said: “It’s fantastic to have helped James follow his passion and set up such a successful business. UK small businesses are vital to the health of our economy and it’s our mission to help as many people as possible from across the UK who need financial support to get their business of the ground.”

The Start Up Loans programme provides fixed-interest loans of between £500 and £25,000 to aspiring business owners from across the UK, many of whom might be struggling to access other forms of finance.

Since 2012, the programme has lent more than £563 million through 69,555 loans, of which over £50 million went to business owners from Yorkshire and the Humber.