Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis unveils plans for 20 new undie stores as he praises Brexit vote and slams complaints
Businessman said people need to stop moaning about Brexit and 'get on with it'
DRAGONS’ Den star Theo Paphitis is to open more shops selling lacy undies — as he yesterday said bravo to Brexit.
The retail mogul, 57, who owns upmarket lingerie chain BOUX AVENUE, unveiled plans for 20 new stores here and abroad.
He also delivered a broadside to those who squeal about leaving the EU — branding them pants.
The tough-talking telly Dragon, who campaigned for us to quit, said: “We need to stop moaning now and get on with it.”
Four of the new stores will be in the UK — boosting the number here to 33.
The others will open abroad, where he currently has 15.
EU countries being targeted include the Czech Republic. The Middle East is also on Theo’s radar, with a new store in Qatar.
The tycoon, whose retail empire includes stationer RYMAN and homeware seller ROBERT DYAS, scoffed at the Brexit doom-mongers.
He declared: “I said there wouldn’t be Armageddon. Life will go on. There is a great future for the United Kingdom.
“It is a great country and it is for us now to lead the way.”
Theo, whose stores employ 4,000, launched Boux Avenue five years ago after selling his stake in the LA SENZA lingerie brand.
He said: “We must have got something right because our turnover has proven people vote with their purses.”
Theo said of the expansion: “We are looking all over the world.
“America is the next stage. But one thing you must never do in life is start wars on all fronts. That is an incredibly tough market.”
He admitted Brexit uncertainty had caused “disruption” in the business world.
But he said: “At the end of the day the people have spoken.
“We are going to have a lot bigger challenges in our lives than Brexit.
“If you carry on moaning and talking yourselves down it becomes self-fulfilling.
“The decision has been taken. We need to get on with it.”