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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Owen Hughes & Katherine Heslop

The Apprentice winner Alana Spencer closes cafe after just two years

The Apprentice winner Alana Spencer is leaving one of her cafes just two years after taking it on.

Alana, 31, who won the BBC show in 2016 after securing an investment from Lord Alan Sugar for her cake and chocolate business, is shutting her Ridiculously Rich cafe in Llandudno, Wales.

The TV star, launched her first cafe in 2020 in Aberystwyth, followed by a branch in Llandudno in 2021, a kiosk by a paddling pool.

The eatery was closed over winter due to the weather, with Alana saying it had been a "tough year for businesses" and thanking customers for support, saying it was "goodbye from us until 2023."

Alana's Ridiculously Rich cafe in Llandudno has closed (Facebook)

However, the entrepreneur confirmed to North Wales Live that "unfortunately" she has shut the cafe for good.

A Conwy council spokesperson confirmed new tenants will be moving into the site.

In January, Alana said she was "so upset" after her vintage coffee van outside the Llandudno cafe was targetted by vandals.

The vibrant blue vehicle had been parked outside the Ridiculously Rich café after a tyre had been damaged.

Photos of the van with it's shattered windows were shared on social media, asking if anyone knows the owners, which prompted Alana to reply.

Alana Spencer pictured with Lord Alan Sugar (PA)

The entrepreneur from Aberystwyth wrote: "Hello all, it’s my van. Honestly so upset! We can’t get it until next week.

"Been waiting on a part for the tyre that broke and that just arrived. Now we need to fix this. Thank you to all the kind people who have been in touch. As if business isn’t tough enough at the moment. I really hope they catch who did it because it’s just not ok!!"

The van was bought in 2021 and had long been a dream of Alana's.

The TV star had wanted a van since was 17 and attended festivals with just a table and apple crates to display her cakes.

She used to look at the festival vans and think "one day".

It has been an eventful 12 months for Alana, as in June she was hospitalised after suffering four broken ribs in an accident at work.

She took to Instagram to share the news with her 48,000 followers, which included a snap of her laid on a stretcher surrounded by paramedics.

The businesswoman could still afford a smile, however, before being wheeled into a waiting ambulance.

Alana suffered a setback last year when her coffee van was damaged (Instagram)

She captioned the post: "People often ask me why I insist upon doing all of my own manual work and have been telling me for years that I should always hire professionals instead.

"Well, today, for the first time ever, I think I'm prepared to admit…that they may be right!"

Her followers were quick to offer their sympathy and support on the social media platform with one user commenting: "Four broken ribs and you still have a smile on your face! Hoping you have a speedy recovery!"

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