Hard times inspire graduate’s enterprise
A YOUNG entrepreneur has launched a discount card that allows shoppers to cash in on deals at shops, restaurants, bars and even taxis in the North East.
The Edge card is the brainchild of Wil Cheung, 29, who has already signed up 200 businesses in the UK, including Tiger Tiger, Blu Bambu nightclub and clothing shop Union in Newcastle.
The card already has 10,000 members, which Cheung expects will more than double by next year, and can also be used at businesses in Manchester, Leeds and Edinburgh, with companies in Nottingham to be added later this year.
Mr Cheung realised that some of the North East’s smaller businesses could benefit from a card that included a wider range of ventures, such as Hustlers Pool Club in Newcastle and Noda Taxis, unlike most loyalty cards that stick to shops, bars and restaurants.
He studied a post-graduate degree in business at Warwick University in 2004 before moving to the North East to help his parents run the Palace Gardens restaurant in Newcastle’s China Town and then the Golden Dragon in Hexham.
However, he soon realised there were opportunities as a result of the recession and left to set up his own business.
He said: “I know there are many discount cards on the market at the moment, but this one is different as it includes offers on a vast range of things.”