Free public Wi-Fi launched across Whitby

The aim is to draw people back to town centres as a destination.

Author: Jon BurkePublished 29th Nov 2021

A free public access Wi-Fi service covering the centre of Whitby has been launched, as part of the county’s bid to support recovery and growth for communities and businesses.

North Yorkshire County Council, in partnership with NYnet Ltd, is rolling out the scheme in 16 market towns across the county.

In the last four weeks, more than 14,000 people have made use of the service, with Saturdays proving the busiest day on average. Those 14,000 users have consumed enough data to watch 97 hours of Netflix, spend 53 days straight on Facebook or spend 1,649 hours on Google maps.

The Wi-Fi service is an opportunity to draw people back to town centres as a destination, as more people continue to work from home. It aims to promote local shops and services and create a different town centre experience.

Free public access Wi-Fi offers opportunities for people with limited, or no broadband, to access vital local council, government and health services and take part in the digital economy.

Executive Member for Access, County Councillor Don MacKenzie, said:

“We hope that residents and visitors will make the most of the free Wi-Fi service across the seaside town. It’s easy to use; once you’re connected it will automatically sign you in on further visits.

“Digital connectivity is more important than ever for our businesses to unleash their economic potential. Having an online presence is key to showcase their products or services, and a good connection is vital for day-to-day operations such as ordering stock.”

Chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Infrastructure & Joint Assets Board, David Dickson, said:

“Improved digital connectivity is vital for our economy. It’s a key recommendation put forward by the LEP in a major study examining the future prospects of our region’s towns. We are pleased to see the latest stage of this work launched in Whitby.”

A £3m investment was awarded by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership as part of its allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund.

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