Tentwear pitch wins at latest Mossley SOUP

Start-up local business Reclaim Tentwear delivered a winning pitch at the latest Mossley SOUP event, securing the most votes and £1,653 raised by event attendees.

On Thursday 15 February, Mossley SOUP hosted its first event of the year, sponsored by Premier Kia, with more than 170 diners in attendance. The event took place at Emmaus Mossley and attendees donated £5 each in return for soup, entertainment, presentations from four local projects and a vote.

This was the sixteenth Mossley SOUP event and for the first time ever, the organisers planned a ‘themed’ event focussed on supporting projects from local businesses and start-ups. The four projects presented at this event were Birkett’s Artisan Bakery, George’s Deli, Marvellous Mossley CIC and Reclaim Tentwear.

Guitarist Jon Mambo welcomed diners as they took their seats and enjoyed freshly made soup and bread. The four project presentations followed, each having four minutes to share their idea followed by four questions from the audience. After the presentations, diners cast their votes, a fundraising raffle was drawn and then the winning project was announced. 

Marlon Bethell presented Reclaim Tentwear, a start-up taking discarded tents and transforming them into unique, eco-friendly, fashionable and water-resistant garments.

Marlon, said: “Presenting at Mossley SOUP was nerve-wracking to begin with as it was the most people I’ve ever presented to, but the reception was warm and welcoming – like Mossley always is. Securing the most votes was incredible as I had a lot of pressure building up to take this business to the next level and securing the funds from SOUP has now unlocked the door.”

Reclaim Tentwear received £1,653 raised from donations on the door, the raffle, a £250 donation from Emmaus Mossley and £100 from Premier Kia. The three runners up also received £100 each towards their projects from event sponsor Premier Kia.

The Civic Mayor of Tameside, Councillor Tafheen Sharif, welcomed attendees to the event and commented: “Mossley is a special place, a real community, with people supporting one another and being there for each other. We witnessed all this at Mossley SOUP 16 where the room was packed with so many people willing to lend their support.

“I would like to thank our Mossley SOUP volunteers who each time ensure a successful event. Mossley volunteers continue to give and give – thank you to each and every one for your goodwill, determination and hard work, despite the very difficult challenges. Well done and best wishes to our winner Reclaim Tentwear and our other businesses and start-ups who presented on the night.”

Four freshly made soups were prepared by local volunteers Gary Barton, Darren Bateman and Callum Fletcher. Soup ingredients were donated by A Taylor & Son Family Butchers, and Co-op Mossley, and cakes were donated by event attendees.  

Raffle prizes were kindly donated by Mossley AODS, Mossley Home Improvement, Royal Exchange Theatre, The Gillery and The Vale. Mossley AFC also handed out free home game tickets to all Mossley SOUP attendees.

Project ideas are being sought from individuals, artists, community groups, charities and businesses for the next Mossley SOUP event, taking place on Thursday 9 May. To find out more and submit a proposal, head to http://bit.ly/MossleySOUP.