Boots, Timpsons and Max Spielmann are all taking part in MasterCard’s initiative to drive adoption of its contactless payment technology in Liverpool.

In addition, many independent retailers in the city, as well as bus operator Stagecoach Merseyside will adopt the technology in the coming weeks. It will be the first time MasterCard’s PayPass contactless cards can be used on public transport in the UK.

Much of the focus on contactless adoption to date has been in London, but this launch reaffirms the payment brand’s commitment to making the technology a reality at points of sale across the country.

On October 27 MasterCard and merchant acquirer RBS WorldPay held a demonstration of the technology in the city centre’s Williamson Square for both consumers and retailers.

Some 76% of Liverpool’s retailers say that the technology is a cost effective, efficient and secure method for small payments, according to research conducted by RBS WorldPay undertaken to coincide with the initiative.