Which business did Deborah Meaden buy in 1999 before later joining the Dragon's Den panel?

Deborah Meaden bought Weststar Holidays in 1999 before later joining the Dragon's Den panel.

Weststar Holidays was a holiday business that Meaden acquired in 1999. Her work in tourism and leisure became an important part of the business background she brought to Dragon's Den, where she assessed entrepreneurs across retail, hospitality, manufacturing and services.

Meaden later built a substantial portfolio of investments and became one of the programme's most familiar Dragons. Her television profile can make it easy to overlook the earlier companies that established her as a business operator.

Weststar Holidays should not be confused with Red Letter Days, the experience-gift company founded by Rachel Elnaugh, or with food brands that appeared in the Den. Those businesses are connected to other entrepreneurs and investors, not to the 1999 acquisition named here.