Ringwood couple told by Dragons' Den entrepreneur Peter Jones their PillowShelf is 'genius'

A RINGWOOD couple who took their invention on TV's Dragons' Den were told it was "genius" but failed to impress the panel enough to secure investment.

Peter Jones was highly impressed by Martin and Kris Andrew’s PillowShelf, which extends a normal-sized bed to accommodate tall sleepers.

The 6ft 7in Dragon said that every time he stayed in hotels, he had to endure an uncomfortable night in a bed far too small for him.

He added: “This is something I’ve been looking for every time I come up to film Dragons. We’re put into this hotel – we’re in a nice hotel at the moment, but the bed, it’s like a hobbit’s bed."

Invited to try the PillowShelf for himself, Peter climbed into a bed on the set, and his feet were left dangling over the edge. The couple then fitted the PillowShelf and Peter – although with part of his feet still over the edge – could lie a little more comfortably.

The PillowShelf was invented after 6ft 2in Martin, like Peter, endured many a night in beds too short for his height. Frustrated, he created the device – a wooden padded shelf with legs which is inserted between the bed and the headboard.

Kris said: “We never thought that other people would be interested until friends started to ask us if they could have one too."

“Being able to keep your own bed and bedding is key and makes it the sustainable option to having a longer bed – no need to buy an expensive new bed, it’s your bed and bedding but six inches longer.”

The PillowShelf is portable and has adjustable legs.

Dragon Deborah Meaden was also enthusiastic about the invention and told the couple their market was "obviously hotels" to which they said they had been contacting.

Despite Peter's love for the product, he decided against investing the asked-for £80,000 for a 20% stake, but told Kris and Martin he hoped it would be "very successful". He said the couple needed a sales team to visit hotels which would "cost you more than £80,000".

Talking about appearing on the show, Kris said: “Martin and I were incredibly excited heading into the Den. It’s one thing to pitch an idea to a potential investor but when you add another four, plus the fact it’s going to be broadcast on television, that’s another story.

"We were incredibly nervous; Dragons’ Den can be a make-or-break opportunity for most.

“Filming the show was a great process to go through, and the Dragons were all lovely and encouraging. It was a really positive experience for us and our business, we can’t wait to see the episode air and to see what everyone else thinks of our invention.”

To watch the episode, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001h0vs/dragons-den-series-20-episode-2