Katriona Shovlin, a 32-year-old entrepreneur from Upchurch, Kent, is set to appear on the popular BBC television show, Dragons’ Den, to pitch her unique business venture: the UK’s first five-star hen hotel. This innovative concept offers luxury accommodation for poultry, charging a nightly rate of £3 per hen. Shovlin’s “hennels,” located in her garden, provide a pampered experience for feathered guests, complete with a cocktail bar where hens can groove to Beyoncé, a superfood buffet offering a delectable array of treats, a tire swing for playful antics, and a dedicated relaxation area. Following a successful launch in the autumn of 2023, which saw her establishment fully booked with clucking patrons, Shovlin hopes to secure investment from the Dragons to expand her Hen Weekend Chicken Boarding business.
Shovlin’s appearance on Dragons’ Den represents more than just a business pitch; it’s a mission to elevate the perception of hens beyond mere livestock and recognize them as sentient beings deserving of respect and enrichment. Entering the Den, she describes, was an emotionally charged experience, driven by a desire to advocate for these often-overlooked creatures. She aims to showcase their inherent worth and inspire a shift in how they are perceived by the public, encouraging a deeper appreciation for their individual personalities and needs. Her venture underscores a growing awareness of animal welfare and the desire to provide even domesticated animals with stimulating and enriching environments.
The all-inclusive hen hotel offers a range of activities designed to cater to the chickens’ natural instincts and provide mental and physical stimulation. The cocktail bar, while seemingly whimsical, offers a space for social interaction, mimicking the pecking order dynamics observed in flocks. The superfood buffet provides nutritional variety beyond standard chicken feed, contributing to the hens’ overall health and well-being. The tire swing and play area offer opportunities for exercise and exploration, keeping the birds active and engaged. Shovlin’s approach reflects a move away from traditional, often confined, chicken keeping practices towards a more holistic and enriching experience for the birds.
Shovlin’s pitch to the Dragons presents a unique opportunity to expand her business and further her mission of promoting hen welfare. Securing investment would enable her to scale her operations, potentially reaching a wider audience and creating more awareness about the importance of enriching the lives of these commonly kept animals. Her appearance on national television will undoubtedly spark conversations about animal welfare and the responsibility humans have towards the creatures under their care. The success of her business model could pave the way for similar initiatives, fostering a more compassionate and considered approach to chicken keeping across the country.
The episode featuring Shovlin’s pitch, which also includes a guest appearance by fitness guru Joe Wicks as a Dragon, is scheduled to air on BBC1. This high-profile platform provides a significant opportunity to showcase her innovative business concept and advocate for the welfare of hens. The Dragons, known for their shrewd business acumen and diverse backgrounds, will undoubtedly scrutinize her business model, providing valuable feedback and potentially offering investment to help her achieve her ambitious goals. The outcome of her pitch remains to be seen, but regardless of the result, Shovlin’s appearance is sure to generate interest and discussion around the often-overlooked topic of hen welfare.
Katriona Shovlin’s journey from creating a unique hen hotel in her garden to pitching her business on national television demonstrates her dedication to improving the lives of hens. Her story highlights the growing trend of recognizing the sentience and individual needs of animals, even those traditionally viewed as livestock. Her appearance on Dragons’ Den provides a platform not only to secure investment for her business but also to raise awareness about hen welfare and inspire others to consider the well-being of these often-underappreciated creatures. The upcoming episode promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering viewers a glimpse into the world of luxury hen hotels and the passionate entrepreneur behind this innovative concept.
