Bea Thackeray, the designer and founder of Keep This Cracker, has transformed a traditional holiday staple into an innovative and sustainable product. Recognising the significant environmental impact of disposable Christmas crackers – 100 million of which are pulled in the UK each festive season. Bea developed a reusable alternative that not only reduces waste but also adds a personalised touch to holiday celebrations.
Keep This Cracker products are designed with sustainability at their core. Unlike traditional crackers that tear apart and end up in the trash, Bea’s crackers are designed to be reused. They come flat-packed, ready to be assembled and filled with gifts chosen by the user. This unique, patented design allows the crackers to be pulled like standard ones but without tearing, so they can be easily reassembled and reused. The crackers are made in the UK using FSC and PEFC-certified compostable board, and printed with water and vegetable-based inks, ensuring that the product is both high-quality and environmentally friendly. The packaging is compostable and reusable, designed to store the crackers for future occasions, and the ribbons are made from yarn derived from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Bea has also developed an innovative low-noise snap, known as the ecosnap, which offers a gentler pop—making the crackers more accessible to individuals with sensitivities such as ADHD, Autism, and PTSD.
Since its launch in 2013, Keep This Cracker has grown steadily, reflecting the increasing public concern over environmental issues and the rising demand for sustainable alternatives. Bea’s products are now distributed across the UK in galleries, garden centres, and independent retail outlets. Bea also sells directly to consumers via her website, as well as through popular online platforms like Not On The High Street and Etsy. The business has received significant recognition within the industry, being nominated as a finalist in prestigious awards such as ‘Gift of the Year’ and the ‘Small Awards’ hosted by Small Business Britain.
The support of the Business & IP Centre Greater Manchester (BIPC GM) has been instrumental in Bea’s journey. Originally familiar with the British Library’s Business & IP Centre in London, Bea was delighted to find similar resources available at the Business & IP Centre at Manchester Central Library after relocating. BIPC Greater Manchester offered essential guidance, particularly as her business expanded and she recognised the need for an intellectual property audit.
“I used to visit the patent office in the British Library in London before I relocated to Yorkshire over twenty years ago. I attended workshops about bringing your invention to market, and went on to file my first patent application. So now that I’m based in Greater Manchester, I was really pleased to learn that a similar facility was available here”.
“As more products have been added to the collection, I realised it was time for an IP audit and recognised that I needed help and advice on my trademarks etc. I was given advice by the IP lawyers who answered my queries on the design registration process and particular aspects relating to my designs. My new designs are now registered and I feel confident about what steps need to be taken to continue protecting my work. It’s given me peace of mind and reassurance so I can concentrate on the other areas of the business”.
Through the Business & IP Centre, Bea received expert advice on trademark and design registration, which has been crucial in safeguarding her unique products. This support has provided her with the peace of mind necessary to focus on other aspects of her business, knowing that her innovations are protected. Bea has taken part in our Build a Business workshops, and Bea also delivered a wonderful interactive discussion and presentation with our business community at Start-Up Huddle Manchester!
Looking to the future, Bea is optimistic about the growing trend toward sustainability and the potential for reusable products like Keep This Cracker to become mainstream. With increasing legislation against single-use items and a societal shift toward more responsible consumption, Bea believes that her product will no longer be seen as a niche item but as a standard choice for consumers. She is actively working to expand her business into the corporate gifting and hospitality sectors, recognising the potential for her crackers to enhance festive occasions in these areas.
Keep This Cracker represents a significant step forward in sustainable celebrations, offering a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to the traditional Christmas cracker. With the support of the Business & IP Centre, Bea Thackeray is not only leading a business but also pioneering a movement toward a more sustainable holiday season.