A global seller of second-hand books based in Hallatrow, Bookbarn International, is looking to expand with new financial backers, after a visit to the Dragons’ Den helped shape future plans.

Bookbarn International Directors, William Pryor and Fenna Leake, were featured on Sunday’s episode of the BBC’s Dragons’ Den, and viewers saw them being greatly encouraged by the Dragons, who nonetheless decided not to invest.

William Pryor, who is a great, great Grandson of Charles Darwin, said: “Though my ancestry seemed to excite Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman took a real shine to Fenna, the Dragons all said: “I’m out!”, despite our continued growth. We are confident of the future and are now looking beyond the Den for funding to take the business to the next level.

“It was an inspiring experience. The conversation with the Dragons was helpful and encouraging.

“We acquired Bookbarn in 2013, and set out to build the brand, software and systems to enable the business to trade efficiently on a global scale, and the Dragons appreciated the progress we’ve made.

“We are now in advanced talks with funders keen to join us in growing the business still further.

“The local and global aspects to our business do take a little explaining, and the whole Dragons’ Den experience helped us find answers to some vital questions – answers that are proving a great help in the serious talks we are now in with potential funders.”

The Dragons were particularly impressed by 25-year-old Fenna, who began her career with Bookbarn working every Sunday in the shop and at the age of 21, during her gap year, was encouraged to take on a more senior role within the business.

On Sunday’s programme they reported that in 2016, the sale of printed books had risen by 7.6%, compared to the sale of e-books, which shrank by 2.8%. They also championed their new and expanding rare book department, Darwin Rare Books.

Dragon, Peter Jones, advised the wholesale of books to create better margins and attract investors – the Bookbarn has half a million books catalogued, with many more on site. They manage to catalogue a massive 5,000 books a week.