Two entrepreneurs with a thirst for success have launched what is believed to be the world’s first subscription service designed to champion independent coffee shops.
Friends Rob Oakley and Alex Baker, from Leamington Spa, have teamed up to create Kuppso Coffee Club, a unique game-changing app which is set to inject a huge boost to the area’s café culture and the local economy.
The Kuppso app allows customers to either subscribe on a monthly basis (starting at £9.99 per month for four coffees) or they can opt for pay-as-you-go credits to buy coffee, with no time limits.
Either way, the app gives access to a range of hot drinks from an increasing number of independent partner venues.
Monthly subscribers pay just £2.50 for each regular coffee and pay-as-you-go customers pay £2.75 per coffee, and all new subscribers receive a free refillable Kuppso-branded travel mug.
The app not only incentivises consumers to choose independent coffee shops, but the owners of the independent venues gain new customers as a result of becoming a Kuppso partner – who are also provided with free Kuppso-branded takeaway coffee cups.
Although the coffee shop owners receive a lower price for coffees purchased via the app (of the £2.50 the customer pays, the venues get £2) they benefit from any additional purchases – including sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
Commenting on the benefits for the partner venues, co-founder, Rob Oakley, explains: “It’s going to be difficult over the next year or so and hospitality businesses are going to really feel the squeeze.
“There’s a few things that are really impacting hospitality – such as the National Insurance increase, minimum wage going up, as well as the price of energy and the price of coffee. The business rates relief is also going down from 75% to 40%.
“It’s not an easy time for them, so if we can improve the situation by bringing more people to their door, that’s great.”
Business partner Alex added: “Because it’s a subscription, it means there are people who are going to come back time and time again, and everybody wins.
“Consumers use the app to get their coffee slightly cheaper and businesses gain new customers.”
Rob and Alex hope to build on what is set to be a successful launch in Leamington Spa and Warwick, and have plans to expand into Kenilworth, Stratford-upon-Avon and Rugby.
With the increasing pressures that many businesses are facing, mostly as a result of the recent Budget, we support any company that can help boost businesses, help to drive growth and offer consumers great value for money.
We wish Rob and Alex all the best.
To download the Kuppso Coffee Club app visit: kuppso.com/