Manchester business turns festival waste into fashion following Start Up Loan support
Manchester-based sustainable fashion business Reclaim Tentwear has secured over £10k through the Start Up Loans programme, delivered by GC Business Finance (GCBF) on behalf of the British Business Bank.
Founded by Marlon Bethell, Reclaim Tentwear transforms discarded festival waste into vibrant, water-resistant outdoor clothing. The idea was sparked during the pandemic, when Marlon and his mum became acutely aware of the environmental impact that festival waste can have on our planet. Driven by a desire to tackle this growing problem, they set out to turn discarded tents into something useful and lasting.
After several years of testing designs alongside his university work, Marlon officially launched Reclaim Tentwear in 2024. With an estimated 900 tonnes of tents abandoned annually, his mission is to overcome this growing environmental concern and give discarded materials a second life.
To support the business’s next stage of growth, Marlon secured a Start Up Loan to purchase a hydraulic press, which will help him to make clothing faster. The funding will also support marketing efforts to raise brand awareness and reach new customers.
Looking ahead Marlon is looking to form partnerships with UK festivals to collect and repurpose discarded tents directly from event sites, helping to reduce even more waste. He is also looking to expand his product range even further, adding a line of water-resistant dog coats.
Marlon Bethell, founder & creative director of Reclaim Tentwear, said: “UK festivals are amazing, but with over 250,000 tents left behind each year, the environmental impact is hard to ignore. I wanted to create something fun and functional that also tackles this issue head-on, and that is exactly what Reclaim Tentwear does.”
“The Start Up Loan has arrived at a perfect time, allowing us to invest in better kit and expand our reach. The team at GCBF made the process really straightforward and I’m incredibly grateful for their support in our journey.”
Alex Mearns, head of Startup Lending at GC Business Finance, said: “Marlon’s journey from creating clothing on a makeshift table in his garden to leading a thriving business is truly inspiring. His commitment to sustainability and creativity is exactly the type of drive we aim to support through the Start Up Loans programme. Starting a business can be intimidating, but Marlon’s entrepreneurial spirit should inspire more people to take the leap. I’m proud of the support our team has provided to Marlon, and I have no doubt he has a bright future ahead.”
Delyth Edwards, senior network manager for the North West at the British Business Bank, said: “Marlon and the team are doing an amazing job at championing a greener, more sustainable future in the UK. Businesses like his play a crucial role in regional growth and help us to move towards a Net Zero economy. This is why targeted programmes like Start Up Loans are so important in helping to drive forward this progress, and I’m excited to see where Marlon takes the business next.”