The two business competing in The Apprentice 2024 final
The Apprentice final 2024 will see Rachel Woolford's boutique fitness studios fight it out against Phil Turner's 90 year old family pie company.
Lord Sugar will put £250,000 into the winning business, and expect to see an return on his investment. Turner has made it through to the final despite losing nine out of 10 tasks. While Woolford has won seven tasks and even survived losing as project manager. Lord Sugar clearly sees potential in these two entrepreneurs - but just what will he be investing his money in?
Here is everything we know about the two business competing in the The Apprentice final.
Rachel Woolford - North Studio
Woolford opened her first fitness studio in her hometown of Leeds during the COVID pandemic, when restrictions meant many businesses collapsed. She has since expanded to open a second branch in Harrogate.
She describes her gyms as "boutique, modern fitness studios" and offer flexible payment options which mean customers don’t need to commit to monthly payment subscriptions. But membership is also available. Classes range from beginner to pro and the website declares "Everyone is welcome, no matter their fitness level." These include HIIT, boxing, cycling and weight training.
Woolford has said it is her "dream" to reach the final, adding: "I'm just so excited now to showcase my business that I've poured my heart and soul into."
Lord Sugar has a history of showing interest in health and fitness investments, since the show's format changed from winning an internship working for the business magnate to pitching for investment in the candidate's own business proposal. However, just last year in 2023 Marnie Swindells won the show with her chain of gyms Bronx Boxing Club. Has Lord Sugar had his fill of fitness? Only time will tell...
Phil Turner - Turner's Pies
Turner is at the helm of an established family business Turner's Pies. The company was founded in 1933 when his grandparents Eva and Reginald began selling their steak and kidney pies at the Commercial Hotel in Bognor Regis, Sussex. His parents grew the catering company in 1990 when they opened their first shop. Phil took over the family business in 2009, helped by his two elder brothers.
With their motto "Only the finest ingredients", Turner's Pies started being sold in London's high end department store Harrods in 2013 and and a year later they opened their second branch of pie shops in Rustington, West Sussex.
Since then the business has expanded, with four branches in Sussex and a fifth in Hampshire and the company also offer a Pies By Post service. Turner's Pies have won Supreme Champion at the British Pie Awards three times and in 2018 even featured in a BBC One documentary Life Of Pies.
Lord Sugar definitely has a taste for food businesses. In 2022 he invested in Harpreet Kaur's dessert cafe chain Oh So Yum! Kaur parted ways with him in November 2023, buying back Lord Sugar's shares. In 2019 Carina Lepore won the series with her South London London bakery chain, which was also grown out of a family business. In 2017 Sarah Lynn's sweet business proved a winner and in 2016 Alana Spencer's cake business was rewarded with Lord Sugar's investment.
Will the billionaire still have an appetite for a foodie business? It's down to Phil Turner to tempt him.
The Apprentice 2024 final airs on BBC One and iPlayer on 18 April at 9pm.
Read more: The Apprentice
Fired Apprentice candidate explains why he boldly refused Lord Sugar’s business offer (Independent, 3 min read)
Find out who made it to The Apprentice final 2024 - who was fired last night? (Oxford Mail, 2 min read)
This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/the-apprentice-2024-who-is-in-final-111048798.html
