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Taxi ad firm savaged on BBC's Dragon's Den faces liquidation


A TAXI advertising company based in the Capital which was slated on TV's Dragon's Den is set to be liquidated.

Cabtivate is thought to have been forced to cease trading after amassing "several hundred thousand pounds" of debt. The firm, which installs small television screens in the back of taxis then sells advertising on them, was slated when it featured on BBC2's Dragon's Den.

Programme experts including Duncan Bannatyne and Simon Woodroffe told Edinburgh businessman Mark Greenhalgh that his idea would never work.

But despite not winning the investment of the "dragons", the company appeared to prosper.

After building up business in Edinburgh, the Forth Street-based firm entered the Glasgow market and the number of advertisers continued to grow.

It netted a £500,000 deal with Strathclyde Police to screen crime appeals to passengers, and just two months ago it announced plans of expansion into London's famous black cabs and said it already had more than 350 advance orders.

But liquidators Begbies Traynor, who were appointed on Friday, say the firm has "run into cash flow difficulties" and confirmed that eight members of staff are expected to lose their jobs.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Mark lost his grip on reality, it was that, what brought down the business, nothing else.

A bitter pill, and no I'm not gloating, I've been there, I know what it tastes like.

Jim and the Dragons predicted his demise months ago. It has to be said, the only one who didn't see this coming was Mark.


BTW, I bet the stifling of the plate market had something to do with it.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

At least you have to admire Markie babes for having a go. Yes he rode roughshod over the trade, pulled strings with his cooncil buddies and was unwise in his business.

Anyway, if he sought to gain an advantage over the rest of the trade, it deserved it.

I take little pleasure in Mr G's demise. I hope it hasn't affected his family too much.

Remember, if this were America, having seen the demise of one business lenders would still be prepared to back him in a venture. His experience would be deemed invaluable.

Not sure about this country though.

Meanwhile, I hope I'm wrong this time, but anyone with cash in the credit union should be looking at it very carefully.