A UNIQUE membership card is being gifted to the people of Merseyside so they can enjoy Capital of Culture events and travel at special rates.
Speaking at yesterday’s celebrity launch of the free 08 Card, Liverpool council leader Warren Bradley said the card – the first of its kind in the UK – was being issued as “part of the city’s gift to residents” in the approach to the 2008 celebrations.
Speaking on board the Mersey Ferry Royal Daffodil, Cllr Bradley said with a predicted uptake of at least 500,000 the card would not only encourage people to get involved in the city’s cultural celebrations but would be an important legacy for the city in the wake of 08.
The O8 card will entitle holders to special privileges including free travel, special offers on theatre tickets and free children’s entry to attractions and is launched by a partnership of the Liverpool Culture Company, Merseytravel and Liverpool lifestyle smartcard specialist, Livesmart.
Cllr Bradley said: “This card represents a fantastic opportunity for people to get involved and access the Capital of Culture.
“Everybody should pick one of these cards up and get involved.
“We want everybody to use them as this is a unique and different opportunity for the people of Merseyside to make the most of what the city has to offer.
“Events like today where people can meet those who they think of as celebrities and get involved with culture are life changing. They stay with people for the rest of their lives.
“Raising aspirations of the people in the city will be the legacy of 08 for me and this card will help us do that.”
Distribution of the 08 card will begin this weekend and will continue through various outlets in the coming months. The card will also be showcased in the Culture Company’s roadshow bus that is touring the city.
Once activated, holders of the card will be able to take up special offers, discounts and promotions and will get the chance to win unique prizes, such as lunch on the QE2, on an ongoing basis.
Ashley Taylor Dawson, who plays Darren Osbourne in Channel Four soap opera Hollyoaks and co-star Carley Stenson, who plays Steph Dean, joined the celebrations on the ferry for the launch.
Both said they had attended the launch to encourage people to get involved in the Capital of Culture and to help spread the word about the benefits of holding an 08 card.
Mr Taylor Dawson said: “This is really good for Liverpool.
“Because we are Liverpool-based we always want to get involved in anything that promotes the city.”
Miss Stenson said: “This is a great way to find out what is happening in Liverpool. It is very exciting time. For people like me who love the theatre this will be of real benefit.”
Lord Mayor Cllr Paul Clark said he was pleased to support the launch of the card as he believed it would unite the city.
He said: “These are really good offers. I will certainly be using them and think everybody should.
“Tourists will be arriving in their hundreds of thousands and will be offered an 08 Card so they too can get the offers.
“This is win-win for residents and visitors alike.”
TO REQUEST a card log onto www.08card.co.uk or phone 0845 271 0808.
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