Teenager fits new business around exams
Jun 23 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal
ONE of the region’s most successful young entrepreneurs has added a fast-growing bakery and Newcastle’s oldest cinema to the list of clients for a new discount card aimed at helping businesses increase their sales.
Live Newcastle is the brainchild of 18-year-old Jonathan Grubin and is a regional sustainability initiative to encourage consumers to choose independent regional businesses over national chains by offering a range of discounts in top shops, cafes, clubs, restaurants, bars and more.
It has signed up a string of well known names to take the card, including North East Bakery, which runs 16 Nichols stores in the region, and the card has just added the Tyneside Cinema.
Though he is still sitting his A-levels, Mr Grubin is signing local businesses up to the card every day, including restaurant Starters and Puds and Union Clothing, and plans to launch it to the public next month.
He said: “The idea is that during a recession, customers are hungry for discounts, while shops and restaurants are eager to get people through the door. Live Newcastle solves both of these problems while encouraging us all to spend more of our money locally.”
Despite his tender age, he is no stranger to the business world, having set up ventures including a mobile phone screensaver download website, an online rewards site and a directory website for Newcastle.
Mr Grubin, who was last year shortlisted for The Journal’s Young Business Person of the Year Award and was the youngest person in The Journal’s Rising Stars and Future Leaders publication, hopes to study business management at a London university while running his ventures.
North East Bakery managing director Greg Phillips said: “We’re very happy to be in a position to offer Live Newcastle members this discount. As a business, we’ve always promoted the region where we can by purchasing and using local and regional produce and suppliers, and we know Jonathan shares our vision.”
Shoppers can register interest in the card at www.livenewcastle.co.uk.
