Cathays Coupons was set up during the firebreak lockdown to ‘foster community’ between students and local businesses
A NEW website has been set up by students in Cathays to promote discounts at local businesses.
Cathays Coupons was launched as a response to the 17-day ‘firebreak’ lockdown in Wales that began on October 23rd.
The non-profit organisation, which is run by five students, advertises shopping discounts and deals across Cardiff to help local businesses cope with the financial impact of the lockdown restrictions.
Jack Tilson, Head of Digital, said that they hope to be able to use the website to ‘help foster community between students and local businesses.’
Some of the deals are only for students, but the majority are available for everyone to use.
There are 10 businesses signed up to the website so far, and the owners are continually looking to expand and reach out to new clients.
Mr Tilson said: “While we are not being megalomaniacs about it, I can see this model being deployed across other UK cities, and we would openly support other students who wanted to do the same thing at other universities.”
Charis, 21, a student, said: “It’s bad but during the firebreak me and my friends tended to use Amazon a lot instead of supporting local businesses, so it’s the big companies that just get richer.”
Maria’s Greek Taverna, on Crwys Road, is signed up to the scheme, but the owner, Marjus Bregu, said that his restaurant has been struggling during the pandemic.
Mr. Bregu said: “Last night I only had about 10 people in the restaurant, 12 maximum. At the moment I don’t know what to do.”
He said that although he has begun spending money on social media advertising, “I feel like I’m spending my money on nothing.”
Although Cathays Coupons was initially set up as a response to the firebreak, it will continue to operate and list new deals even though the firebreak has ended.
