Bootle man turns heartbreak into a multi-million pound success story

Sefton Bubble
4 hours ago
2 min read

A Bootle entrepreneur has turned personal heartbreak into an extraordinary business success, building one of the UK’s fastest growing dog food brands right here in the Liverpool City Region.

Ben McIntyre, 30, who grew up in Bootle, is the founder of Mersey Raw, a company he launched in 2022 following the devastating loss of his dog Jake. That moment became a turning point, leading him to question the pet food industry and explore alternative ways of feeding dogs.

Determined to do something different, Ben began researching canine nutrition and started producing his own dog food using natural ingredients. In the early days, he worked out of a small café kitchen, sourcing ingredients from local butchers and farm shops, often producing limited batches depending on what was available.

What started as a deeply personal mission quickly gathered momentum.

In just a few short years, Mersey Raw has grown into a multi seven figure business. The company now produces more than 80,000 meals every month, serves over 2,000 regular customers, and supplies more than 70 independent pet retailers across the UK.

Since launching, the business is estimated to have fed over 50,000 dogs nationwide, a remarkable milestone for a company that began in such humble surroundings.

Growth has been rapid. From that small kitchen setup, the business has expanded through multiple premises to keep up with demand. Today, it produces 19 different products, holds around 40 tonnes of stock, and employs a growing team of 12 people.

Ben, who previously worked as an engineer, said he wanted to create something meaningful and make a real difference.

He explained that losing his dog changed his outlook completely and inspired him to build a business that would offer dog owners more choice when it comes to feeding.

Now firmly established and continuing to grow, Mersey Raw is another example of the entrepreneurial spirit coming out of Bootle and the wider Sefton area turning a personal journey into a thriving national business.