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College students are sQuid's in with a new smart card
31 October 2011

West Cheshire College is providing all their students with a new innovative all-in-one contactless sQuid card that combines a cashless transaction card, an ID card, a shop and leisure discount card and a pay as you go travel card.

The new sQuid card has been developed in partnership with sQuid, the eMoney payments network, along with Cheshire West and Chester and Ellesmere Port’s Development Board.

Ian Rimmington, Vice Principal of West Cheshire College, said: “It is a very exciting time for our students - as well as moving into our new Campus buildings, we can now provide everybody with a multi-functioning smart card.

“The new smart cards combine secure and convenient sQuid cashless payments throughout both Campuses, the function of the Cheshire Travelcard for use on seven local bus operators, college photo ID, printing and library identification, plus discounts in over 300 local businesses through the council’s Charisma scheme.”

Chris Styles, Operations Director at sQuid who has been closely involved in the project, explained: “The sQuid card is a safer alternative to carrying cash and loose change for students. They’ll be able to use their card throughout the College, plus they’ll have the benefit of being able to track their spending online - so it’s a great way of budgeting.” 

In addition to using the card in College, the card will also give students access to ‘Charisma’ discounts at over 300 businesses in the region.

Developed by Cheshire West and Chester Council, the Charisma scheme will enable students to receive discounts at restaurants, leisure facilities, hair and beauty salons as well as days out.

The card includes offers from businesses across West Cheshire including Chester, Northwich and Neston who have signed up to offer discounts.  This year, many businesses from Ellesmere Port have joined the scheme too - so students from both Ellesmere Port and Chester Campuses can benefit from the card.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Executive Member for Culture and Recreation, Councillor Stuart Parker added: “I am delighted that students are to benefit from the Council’s already successful Charisma scheme which encourages users to make the most of local shops and services by offering great discounts and promotions.

“The College’s students, both in Ellesmere Port and Chester, will now have instant and easy access to the many hundreds of Charisma offers available to West Cheshire residents.”

Both College Campuses have undergone a complete transformation as part of the College’s Building a Difference project, with a new Technologies Campus that opened in Chester in March 2011 and a Creative and Service Industries Campus in Ellesmere Port that opened last month (September 2011).

For more information please call the College hotline on 01244 656555 or visit www.squidcard.com/wcc