Every year, dozens of hospitality businesses in Leuven go bankrupt. Stress, headaches, and financial struggles make it extremely difficult for small, hardworking café owners to survive. But why is this the case? How can a vibrant student city like Leuven be such a challenging environment for café owners?​

After conducting our research, we discovered that a major factor is a lack of knowledge: knowledge about finance, marketing, and management. At LivingLeuven, we want to help! Our team consists of four Leuven-based students who love their city and its lively nightlife. We aim to provide cafés with an affordable way to promote their deals and increase their visibility.​

Not only do we support local café owners, but we also make nightlife easier for students. Going out in Leuven is fun but can also be chaotic. With so many bars, events, and promotions, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially since most bars have minimal digital presence. Combined with rising drink prices, this causes students to stay in their dorms more often. In fact, 64% of students almost always pre-drink at home before heading to the Oude Markt or other cafés, which is bad news for the hospitality sector.​

That’s why we want to highlight the efforts of local bars such as happy hours and promotions so students can rediscover Leuven’s affordability and energy. So, to all students: get out of your dorms and experience how lively and budget-friendly Leuven truly is!