‘World’s first’ coffee app launching to support Coventry independents

Two entrepreneurs with a thirst for success have launched the next phase of their mission to champion independent coffee culture across the region – this time in Coventry.

Friends Rob Oakley and Alex Baker, from Leamington, teamed up to create Kuppso Coffee Club, a unique game-changing subscription app which is set to inject a huge boost to the area’s independent café culture as well as its economy.

The app, which the pair hope to eventually take UK-wide, is rooted in their shared passion for community, enticing more footfall away from national chains and into local independent coffee hotspots.

Simple to use, Kuppso allows customers to either subscribe or buy coffee packs, giving access to a range of hot drinks from a selection of independent partner venues with options for four, eight or 12 coffees a month – and by doing so users are rewarded with great coffee for as little as £2.50.

Additional to the 16 partner businesses in Leamington and Warwick, participating coffee shops in Coventry so far are: Shortland Coffee Co, Warwick Row; Baxter Baristas sites at Herbert Art Museum, Jordan Well and The Transport Museum, Hales Street; Kitchen at the Courtyard, Jordan Well; Gorety Portugese Café, Canal Basin and Myrtles Coffee Shop, Albany Road, with more being added each week.

Rob said: “The launch aligns with Coventry’s cultural energy and its growing appetite for independent, creative, and social experiences.

“Coventry has so many great independent coffee shops and cafes but the city also has a huge number of chains. We've spoken to lots of people in Coventry who admitted that coffee from little independents is so much better than the big coffee chains, but habit and convenience kept them going back to the likes of Costa and Starbucks.

“This model not only ensures affordable, high-quality coffee for our customers but also drives footfall, revenue and visibility for local businesses.

“When you have an app like Kuppso that helps you to find these little gems and rewards you for visiting them instead of the chains, it makes it so much easier to create new habits and start supporting the little guys.

“It's been really well received in other areas so far, we're just over a year in and have over 1,800 users just in Leamington and Warwick and have coffee shops contacting us all over the country to join.”

Longer term, the pair hope to continue the successful rollout to other areas in the region, including Stratford and Rugby, before eventually taking it across the country.

The price point is attractive to the customer who can expect to pay just £2.50 per standard 12-ounce drink. Everyone who downloads the app is gifted a free coffee and, in line with Kuppso’s sustainability ethos, a complimentary reusable cup, worth £25, is delivered to all new subscribers.

Many local employers are now also adopting Kuppso as a perk, rewarding staff while also supporting local independent businesses.

Rob added: “The employee perks side of Kuppso has been quite interesting. Local employers really like the fact that using Kuppso as a perk not only rewards their staff and gives them a reason to step away from their desk, but also helps local independent businesses too. It's a real win-win.”

To download the Kuppso Coffee Club app visit: https://www.kuppso.com/

Amanda is a journalist of 30 years and now runs an award-winning PR agency based in Warwickshire. When she's not writing about her own clients she loves to help spotlight the great work of other pubs, restaurants and hotels around the country.

www.chalmersnewspr.co.uk