Train Manager stars in Virgin Trains banner to support Liverpool as Capital of Culture

Train Manager Paul Gibson is the star of a massive banner on the side of the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, just outside the city's Lime Street station, unveiled today, 1 July 2008.

The striking banner shows Paul being lifted up by a ballet dancer, reflecting one of the many art forms being enjoyed across the city as part of the year-long Capital of Culture celebrations.

Bearing the slogan ‘Proud to partner Liverpool, European Capital of Culture’ the banner celebrates Virgin Trains’ support for the city as an Official Partner of the Liverpool Culture Company. Virgin Trains operates high speed, high quality train services between London and Liverpool, taking just 2 hours 30 minutes.

Paul is a proud Liverpudlian, originally from the Aigburth area of the city. The 47 year old has been with Virgin Trains for seven years and a Train Manager for the last 18 months, working from the company’s On Board depot at Liverpool Lime Street.

Paul takes every opportunity to promote his city to customers. “I feel privileged to be able to promote my city as the European Capital of Culture. I make announcements on the train over the p.a. system to inform customers of all the positive things that Liverpool has to offer," said Paul.

“I offer maps of the city and give visitors a quick tour guide to their hotel and places of interest. Liverpool deservedly won the European Capital of Culture as a reward to its people who are a cornerstone of its rich heritage, as well as its buildings, art galleries, museums and music and of course its  two Premier League football teams.

“As a crew member of the Cunard Line QE11 for many years I was lucky enough to sail around the world five times visiting some wonderful cities; I firmly believe that Liverpool is up there with the best."

The 250.9m² banner (13m wide by 19.3m high) is visible from many parts of the city. It will be on view from Tuesday 1 July until Sunday 7 September, the key summer period for visitors to the Capital of Culture.

Notes to Editors

Paul Gibson is available for interview. Please contact Ken Gibbs in the Virgin Trains Press Office on 0845 000 3333.

Virgin Trains announced that it was an official partner of the Capital of Culture on 5 November 2007. A train vinyl on our City of Liverpool train was unveiled at Liverpool Lime Street Station.

Also in November 2007, we sent our ‘Our Man In’ Liverpool 08 Cityguide’ to 1.2 million customers announcing our sponsorship and providing events listings and information about what to do in Liverpool.

Regular updates are also featured on our website - virgintrains.com - which has a dedicated area for Liverpool 08, accessible with a single click from the Home Page.

Virgin Trains helped kick off the year-long celebrations when it put the Virgin stamp on the opening event by sponsoring the after show party.

There is a standing feature in our onboard customer magazine, Hotline, which is updated each quarter with up-to-date event listings and information.

Virgin Trains has bought two of the iconic Liverpool SuperLambBanana sculptures, one of which was unveiled at London Euston station on 17 June. It was designed by Adam Pitt, who won a Virgin Trains staff competition to come up with the best design.  The other SuperLambBanana is situated at Liverpool Lime Street.  It was designed by a local artist and is called Superlambbananatree. Both sculptures will be up until the end of August when they will be auctioned off for charity.