The company’s pitch should appeal to people who want to reduce carbon emissions and cut waste as the would-be kettle will be made in the UK – reducing transport costs – and like a Dualit toaster, have replaceable parts, also made in the UK.
Featherstone says his experience after three rounds of fundraising is that “no one is interested in putting their money into UK manufacturing”, adding “everyone who is looking to invest is only really interested in two things, green finance and fintech companies”.
According to official figures, factory output accounts for 8.2% of national income, or gross domestic product (GDP), down from about 30% in 1970, indicating the diminishing role manufacturing plays in the UK economy.
There have been “buy British” campaigns in the past, and supermarkets, under pressure to show their support for UK farmers, continue to plaster domestic produce with union jack labels.
As China’s cheap prices continue to dominate western markets, attempts to revive or invent UK brands has never been tougher.
