Harrogate has become the final town of 20 in North Yorkshire to get free public access Wi-Fi.
It means people with limited or no broadband will be able to access the internet more easily in the town centre.
North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, in partnership with Harrogate telecommunications firm NYnet, have provided the scheme. Public access Wi-Fi was switched on in Knaresborough and Ripon last year.
The scheme aims to support post-covid recovery in North Yorkshire. Harrogate Borough Council has provided £300,000 to provide extra coverage across the district.
Robert Ling, North Yorkshire County Council’s assistant director for technology and change, said:
“Harrogate is one of the largest, busiest towns in North Yorkshire which boasts thriving businesses, tourist attractions and stunning gardens. Our hope is that the free Wi-Fi service will prove popular, as it is certain to boost the town’s digital infrastructure.”
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Matt Roberts, Harrogate Borough Council’s economy and transport officer, said:
“By providing free public spaces Wi-Fi it allows people of all ages to keep connected, look up local businesses and discover all that the Harrogate district has to offer. It also supports our economic growth strategy which aims to make the Harrogate district the best place to live, work and visit.”
York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership allocated £3.6million to the scheme part of its allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund.
David Dickson, chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership infrastructure and joint assets board, said:
Boroughbridge gets free public WiFi — and Harrogate is next“This whole programme of work to improve digital infrastructure in North Yorkshire is really important for the region. It will support York and North Yorkshire in becoming a greener, fairer and stronger economy.”
Boroughbridge is one of three towns in North Yorkshire to benefit from the latest phase of the roll-out of free public Wi-Fi.
North Yorkshire County Council is working in partnership with Harrogate telecommunications company NYnet to roll out the scheme in 20 market towns across the county to support recovery and growth.
The final town to benefit will be Harrogate later this month.
Free public access Wi-Fi means people with limited or no broadband can connect to the internet more easily.
Boroughbridge, Settle and Sherburn in Elmet are the latest to be switched on.
Boroughbridge and District Chamber of Trade said in a statement:
“The coverage runs from the Post Office, along Fishergate, up the High Street and to the St James Square area.
“It should be good for business, adding to the town’s appeal and helping us present a modern image to our residents and visitors.”
Boroughbridge
Robert Ling, assistant director for technology and change at the council, said:
“We know that the offer of free Wi-Fi in public spaces is drawing people into our town centres to both work and visit.
“Anybody visiting these three towns will now benefit from savings to their mobile data plans by accessing the internet for free with no time restrictions.
“We are nearing the end of the scheme, which represents the latest investment to improve North Yorkshire’s digital infrastructure.”
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York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership awarded £3.6m for the initiative as part of its allocation from the government’s £900m Getting Building Fund, which boosts infrastructure in areas facing the biggest challenges caused by the pandemic.
David Dickson, chair of York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s infrastructure and joint assets board, said:
“This whole programme of work to improve digital infrastructure in North Yorkshire is really important for the region. It will support York and North Yorkshire in becoming a greener, fairer and stronger economy.”
The towns included in the scheme are: Northallerton, Leyburn, Scarborough, Ripon, Skipton, Malton, Richmond, Whitby, Selby, Stokesley, Pickering, Knaresborough, Tadcaster, Catterick, Thirsk, Easingwold, Boroughbridge, Settle, Sherburn in Elmet and Harrogate.
Harrogate will be the final one to be switched on.