Save your dough as bakery store joins discount card

Two of the North East’s most successful young entrepreneurs, both If we can, you can members, have combined to help the region’s food lovers save their dough when buying their favourite bakery products.

Jonathan Grubin, of Live Newcastle, and Greg Phillips, Managing Director of North East Bakery, today agreed that all Live Newcastle members would be offered 10% off all their purchases at Nichols bakeries.

North East Bakery, which operates 14 stores throughout the region, has become the latest local business to sign up to the Live Newcastle card, which offers members discounts at the best places to eat, drink and shop in the region.

The card is the brainchild of Jonathan, an 18-year-old entrepreneur from Newcastle. Though he is currently sitting his A-levels at Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School, he is signing local businesses up to the card every day, and plans to launch it to the public in the summer.

Jonathan 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.

“We’re delighted that Nichols has agreed to offer our members 10% off all their purchases. North East Bakery is a great regional success story and I’m proud to able to encourage more locals to enjoy shopping there rather than at generic national shops.”

Greg, a 30-year-old Newcastle University graduate, launched North East Bakery in 2004. It has since expanded to include 14 stores and a wholesale bread, confectionery and patisserie business. The company recently invested in a 20,000 sq ft facility in Newburn.

Greg 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.”

Nichols join a rapidly increasing roster of local businesses partnering the Live Newcastle card. Other North East companies offering discounts to members include Tup Tup Palace, Barn Asia, Acanthus, Starters and Puds, Union Clothing and The Rupali.

Though the card does not launch officially until July, shoppers can register their interest at livenewcastle.co.uk.