CuppaPug, which launched in London in 2022 and sees customers travel from all over the globe to visit, is due to expand by opening its next site in Manchester this week.
This bright pink, vibrant haven is a pug playground, where families, couples and individuals can come along to spend time with CuppaPugs’ resident pugs, while dining out on pug-themed smoothies, milkshakes, coffees, teas and cakes.
After seeing the original CuppaPug, on London’s Arbutus Street, sky-rocket over the past two years, owners Aaron Carty and Matt Pieterse decided to offer double the cuteness, with the launch of their new site on Chapel Street, in Manchester.
Like no other hospitality concept around, this special experience is for pug enthusiasts and dog lovers alike, but specifically for those who do not have a dog but want to experience being in a pooch’s presence.
Customers can embrace the Instagram friendly-aesthetic and all pink interiors, including a ‘pug wall’ and ball pit, while becoming completely besotted with the resident pugs.
The idea of CuppaPug came about from the aim to create a safe and nurturing community around pugs, working with charities and organisations that rescue and rehome them, while educating owners.
CuppaPug was founded by partners Aaron Carty and Matt Pieterse. Aaron is an ex-police officer, turned Digital Media Producer, Entrepreneur, and successful International Drag Queen performer for the ‘Beyonce Experience’, as seen on Britain’s Got Talent and UK Black Pride. Matthew is a professional actor known for Channel 4’s Bleach, Subway Casanova advert, and short film Mild Thing.
Speaking about where the idea of CuppaPug came from, Aaron said: “Our inspiration was to create an environment, a pug playground where the pugs can play and people can safely engage with the pugs. We want our customers to have an instant smile on their faces as they enter CuppaPug, we want them to feel the warmth and joy that pugs can bring and feel that spike in pleasure from hugging a pug.”
As well as the pug-themed decor, cosy corners and delightful food and drinks, CuppaPug merchandise is available too, including cute accessories, mugs, t-shirts and tote bags.
With pug welfare at the centre of the concept, CuppaPug works closely with three charity partners National Pug Protection Trust, Manchester Pug Thing and Pug Life Rescue, where £1 from each booking is donated towards the rescue and rehoming of pugs. The CuppaPug team down in London have been extremely proud to have raised over £13,000 since opening.
Matt said: “CuppaPug’s vision is to firstly amplify the education of owning a dog, the responsibility and commitment it takes, continuing to share our pugs with people to bring them joy, help with mind wellness and mental health and rescue pugs.
We’re thrilled to be opening in Manchester. It has an amazing pug community and its own non-profit organisation ‘Manchester Pug Thing’ that we wanted to help, not only with regular donations but to amplify the organisation and the work they do.”
Also in the CuppaPug family are Gaston, Bruce, Bowser, Beau, Gizmo, Bebe, Baloo – Aaron and Matt’s resident pugs. For the new site opening, Aaron and Matthew have held an intensive six-week process of applications, interviewing pugs and rehearsing pug groups. It takes a pug that is sociable, active, energetic, lovable and with a unique personality to be a resident pug.
With this powerful, purposeful, pink pug brand, it’s no surprise that CuppaPug has seen over 10 million views across social media, with customers amazingly having flown from Hawaii, Greece, Barcelona, New York, and Australia solely to visit CuppaPug London.
CuppaPug Manchester opens this March. Knowing the demand is high, next on the horizon are more UK sites, plus New York and Los Angeles.
For those interested in checking out CuppaPug, get in quick as it’s known to be booked up for up to six weeks in advance. One hour booking slots are made online via www.cuppapug.com priced at £15 per person. (Maximum 20 people per session, children under 5 are free, one per paying adult)
CuppaPug is open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 11am-7pm Sundays: 11am – 6pm.
