Partners sign up to support special culture year

GLOBAL brands, national organisations and local businesses have signed up to be part of Liverpool's 2018 European Capital of Culture Anniversary celebrations.

Earlier this month (January), organisers behind the Liverpool 2018 programme announced the latest raft of events which includes a season dedicated to China, a brand new Irish festival, the creation of castles out of cardboard and performances to mark the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War 1.

The exciting and ambitious programme is being supported by the City Region Combined Authority with ₤5 million from the Single Investment Fund, Arts Council England and CreART (a network of Cities for artistic creation).

Also helping to make the year of activity possible are:-

► HSBC which has come on board as a major partner and will use their marketing channels to promote the activity taking place this year.

► GREAT - another major partner which will use the GREAT Britain campaign to use its impressive reach across the:- tourism, culture, investment, export, trade and education sectors to promote Liverpool's programme and position it as a must visit destination.

► Hotelplanner.com - the official accommodation partner for the year.

► University of Liverpool - the official education partner for the China Dream season, which includes the Chinese New Year celebrations.

► Global - is the official media partner for Liverpool 2018. It is Europe's largest radio company and home to some of the UK's biggest commercial radio brands including Heart, Capital and Classic FM.

There are also a number of official 'City Partners' signed up to help support the 10th Anniversary of Liverpool's European Capital of Culture status and will deliver their own activity, aligned with the 2018 programme.

These partners are:-

► Liverpool BID Company.

► ACC Liverpool.

► Liverpool ONE.

► Albert Dock Liverpool.

► Merseytravel.

► St Johns Shopping Centre.

Assistant Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Events, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "2018 is set to be an innovative and inspiring year, and we want the world to join us in celebrating Liverpool being at the heart of the UK's cultural scene. We are delighted to welcome on board well known brands and respected institutions which understand the valuable and important role culture plays in society, and recognise that Liverpool really is a trailblazer when it comes to staging events which brings people together, boosts the regional economy and engenders pride in those that live here. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those companies who are supporting this special year and we look forward to working with them to shout about all the incredible activities taking place across the City region."

For more information on already released projects and to help plan your visit to Liverpool, go to:- VisitLiverpool.Com. 

What they say:-

► Hotelplanner.com - HotelPlanner Chief Executive Tim Hentschel, said:- "HotelPlanner is very excited to support Liverpool's European Capital of Culture 10 Year Anniversary. We look forward to inviting all our international groups to visit Liverpool in 2018."

► GREAT - Conrad Bird, Director of the GREAT Britain campaign, said:- "We at GREAT, are extremely proud to support the City's 10 year anniversary of European Capital of Culture 2008. Liverpool 2018 will provide the City region with another opportunity to boost the economy and showcase what a great place to work, live, trade and invest Liverpool is. The GREAT campaign aims to showcase the best of Britain, but also what is new and surprising. With what I've seen planned for 2018 Liverpool's partnership with GREAT is a perfect fit."

► University of Liverpool - Professor Dinah Birch, Pro Vice Chancellor for Cultural Engagement at the University of Liverpool said:- "Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture had a transformational effect on the City and this 10 year celebration promises to be equally inspiring. I am delighted that we at the University of Liverpool are official supporters of this anniversary year. We have exciting plans, including the Liverpool Literary Festival 2018 and a series of exhibitions to celebrate 10 years of our Victoria Gallery and Museum; the opening of which was a major part of our contribution to the City's celebrations 10 years ago. Liverpool's cultural offer is an important part of our students' experience and this anniversary programme promises plenty of exciting opportunities for them, and also for our staff and alumni."

► Global - Graham Sarath, Commercial Director at Global, said:- "Global is home to some of the UK's biggest commercial radio brands and we'll be supporting this fantastic programme of events as the official media partner of Liverpool 2018. We are looking forward to celebrating Liverpool's vibrant cultural offering in this very special year for the City."

► Liverpool BID Company - Bill Addy, Chief Executive, Liverpool BID Company, said:- "Liverpool BID Company is thrilled to be supporting Liverpool City Council and its Liverpool 2018 campaign. It is our ambition that our levy payers feel the direct benefits from this extraordinary culture programme; and to showcase the rich cultural and leisure offer within the BID areas, including Church Street, Bold Street, Cavern Quarter, Old Hall Street and Castle Street. European Capital of Culture was a game changer in the City's long history and its impact is still being felt today. We now have an opportunity to create a new legacy for the City, and remind people; including the local community and visitors from outside the City Region; just what a fantastic place Liverpool is."

► Albert Dock Liverpool - Sue Grindrod, chief executive Albert Dock Liverpool said:- "2018 is going to be the most exciting year, and we are proud to continue in our support of the cultural programme via the Mayoral 100 Club. It offers a lasting private sector vehicle, with which we can ensure that cultural events continue to fuel the City's visitor economy."

► Liverpool ONE - Donna Howitt, Marketing Director at Liverpool ONE, said:- "We are delighted to be working Liverpool City Council on what will be a very special year for the city. It is only right that we reflect and acknowledge the enormous achievements of 2008 with this action packed year of events. Being the European Capital of Culture marked a momentous point in our rich history and even 10 years on, its benefits can still be seen and felt to this day. We hope all our visitors will join in with the spectacular celebrations throughout the year."

► ACC Liverpool - Bob Prattey, chief executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, which includes BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and Exhibition Centre Liverpool, said:- "This is a milestone year for the entire City and gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the success of the past and, more importantly, look ahead to the future. ACC Liverpool hosted the opening event of the 2008 celebrations when we opened our doors for the 1st time and we are pleased to be at the heart of this extraordinary year long programme of cultural, music and sporting events. We are constantly banging the drum for Liverpool's cultural offer and the 2018 programme will shine an international spotlight on the City, confirming why it is such a special place for events of all kinds."

► St Johns Shopping Centre - Centre Manager of St Johns Shopping Centre Neil Ashcroft said:- "We're all very excited to announce our partnership with Liverpool 2018 and the opportunities this will bring to the city. This is another great opportunity to show off the City's artistic and cultural credentials to the world, and for the young people of Liverpool to demonstrate their talents and abilities. This fits well with our long established community programme and support of the local population we serve. We look forward to playing an active part in the Liverpool 2018 programme of events."