Isle Of Wight Businesses Shine In BBC Apprentice Episode

(c) BBC/Naked

Island businesses took centre stage on last night’s (Thursday, March 19) episode of BBC One’s The Apprentice, filmed on the Isle of Wight.

The programme, watched by millions, sees candidates take on the popular ‘discount buying’ task — sourcing local items while keeping costs low — with a range of Island locations and companies featured throughout.

Visit Isle of Wight Chief Executive, Dominic Wray, says the exposure comes at a crucial time for tourism:

“Broadcast to millions on BBC One, with further coverage on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, the Isle of Wight has gained exceptional exposure at a key time for holiday bookings.

“With sunshine on the day of filming, the Island was showcased at its very best.

“This opportunity was made possible through the support of Visit Isle of Wight and builds on our ongoing work to promote the Island, funded by the Wight BID.

“We encourage all tourism businesses to continue supporting the Wight BID, so we can keep the Isle of Wight front of mind for people planning their next holiday.”

Filming Locations Across The Island

(c) BBC/Naked

Several well-known Island businesses played a role in the episode.

At The Hut in Colwell Bay, the task was set, with candidates meeting Lord Sugar’s aides, Karren Brady and Tim Campbell.

Clare Ryan, Group Marketing Manager, says:

“We were delighted to work with Visit Isle of Wight, discreetly hosting the cast and crew.

“The Hut was chosen for the task’s initial planning discussions, with teams split across our Deck and Roof Deck overlooking Colwell Bay.

“Filming wrapped up just before opening — completely unbeknown to our lunch guests.”

Grace’s Bakery, with shops in Ryde and Newport, also featured as a task location.

Ray Redrup and family say:

“We were absolutely delighted to be part of filming. As a family-run bakery, it was a proud moment to showcase the Isle of Wight Doughnut, a recipe dating back to 1845.

“It hasn’t been easy keeping it secret for 10 months, but we’re thrilled to finally share the news.”

Adgestone Vineyard welcomed the candidates, with co-owner Philippa Broughton describing the experience as “great” and praising efforts to promote the Island.

Meanwhile, Wight Bike in Cowes provided a key item for the task.

Owner Jeff Smith says:

“It started with a simple enquiry for a specialist bike part — we didn’t realise who it was at first.

“Then the camera crew arrived, and the candidates were after a Shimano cassette. It was a great opportunity to showcase what we do.”

Jurassic Jim’s in Shanklin also took part, with co-owner Aaron Isted highlighting the importance of tourism to the business, especially during peak holiday seasons.

The task concluded with a dash to the finish via Hovertravel, showcasing the Island’s iconic hovercraft.

Head of Marketing, Loretta Lale, says:

“We really enjoyed playing our part in this hugely popular series and showcasing both our unique service and the Island.”

Behind The Scenes Effort

(c) BBC/Naked

A number of organisations worked behind the scenes to support filming.

The Royal Hotel in Ventnor hosted Karren Brady and Tim Campbell, as well as serving as a central production base.

Director Matthew Brooks says:

“Securing filming for one of the UK’s most popular TV shows was a big win for the Island — the hardest part was keeping it secret.”

Wightlink provided ferry travel for the production team, with CEO Katy Taylor saying the episode shines a national spotlight on the Island’s “creativity, character and entrepreneurial spirit”.

Film Wight helped coordinate filming permissions, with Dave Russell saying the episode highlights the Island’s diversity to a huge audience.

The Wellington Hotel in Ventnor accommodated many of the crew, with owner Andy Kinnaird praising the collaboration between local businesses.

A Major Opportunity For The Island

Filming took place around 10 months ago after producers approached Visit Isle of Wight in search of a location for the task.

The Island was chosen ahead of other destinations, offering a mix of unique products, scenic locations and strong local partnerships.

With the episode now airing, it’s hoped the national exposure will inspire more people to choose the Isle of Wight for their next holiday.