BIPC supporting small businesses: Beach Towel Clip
Jonathan Meare gives a users perspective on the support provided by Manchester's Business & IP Centre.
Jonathan Meare. Photo credit: Manchester BIPC
The Beach Towel Clip is a 100% UK designed and manufactured beach accessory from local inventor Jonathan Meare, who received support and guidance through Manchester Inventors Group at the Business & IP Centre.
Fed up with his beach towel blowing away every time he went for a dip in the sea, Jonathan put pen to paper and turned an idea into a product which is now stocked worldwide.
He used Innovation Vouchers to assist with the designs, production of 3d printed prototypes & packaging artwork.
The Beach Towel Clip launched in June 2010 and soon featured in the press as the summer’s must have beach accessory.
The ingenious injection moulded polypropylene clips are manufactured in Suffolk, assembled and packed in Farnworth, then distributed to retailers and distributors in over 30 countries.
The clips are produced in 3 colours and simply snap apart, fold open and push into the sand to stop your beach towel or picnic blanket blowing away. No more searching for stones or using your flip-flops or water bottles to hold your towel in place!
Since launching, the clips have featured on TV, radio and in the press around the world.