Paccup your troubles of moving to University

Northumbria University student, Marcus Gentle, is part of a team of four student friends who has created Paccup – a service aimed at easing the transition from home to university by providing bedding, towels and kitchen utensils direct to students’ new accommodation.

The company, founded earlier this year, saves students the hassle of shopping trips during Freshers’ Week by offering them essential product packages for the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

Students can also purchase the Complete Paccup, which combines all three packages. The items in each Paccup, ranging from chopping boards, corkscrews, duvet covers and towels, have been chosen following extensive research from past and present students.

Marcus Gentle, who is studying English Language at Northumbria, is the company’s marketing executive. He said: “Paccup is exactly what I would have wanted as a first-year student. When you buy a Paccup package you already have the essentials waiting for you when you arrive so it saves you a lot of hassle. It’s doing a big favour for students, especially international ones who usually have to buy everything once they arrive at the university. New students often don’t know the local area so finding the right shops can be time-consuming.

“During the first year of my degree we did research into the language of advertising so I’ve already learned a lot of things from my course that I’ve been able to apply. I can offer a lot to this company. As a student, I can also provide an insight into student opinions.”

Paccup sells directly to students via its website but also targets student accommodation suppliers and universities. With demand for the service increasing, the company has already received orders from China as well as from across the UK.

Lucy Winskell, Pro ViceChancellor for Business and Engagement at Northumbria University, said: “Universities must be about creating an entrepreneurial culture –through our staff, our students and the opportunities on offer. Northumbria is able to