Following recent launches in Felixstowe and Lowestoft and as part of a range of exciting digital projects taking place across East Suffolk, free-to-use public Wi-Fi has now been launched in Southwold and Woodbridge.
To support local towns and businesses, East Suffolk Council is delivering a range of digital projects which aim to strengthen the local economy and improve connectivity within the district’s market towns.
One of these projects is the East Suffolk Digital Towns programme which will digitally transform market towns through the installation of free public Wi-Fi, digital footfall counters and town marketing platforms alongside a business support programme. It was initially piloted in Framlingham in 2019.
Supported by funding from the Getting Building Fund and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership’s Innovative Projects fund, this new technology will be combined with bespoke business support, helping local businesses and the towns in which they are based, to grow.
Cllr Stephen Burroughes, East Suffolk’s Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Operational Partnerships and Digital Transformation, said: “This is the latest ‘switch-on’ for free Wi-Fi zones in East Suffolk and both Southwold and Woodbridge will be able to enjoy the benefits already being enjoyed elsewhere in the district. This will make it easy for visitors and local people to get online when out and about. It is a digital scheme which we are really proud of.”
Cllr Craig Rivett, East Suffolk’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “We are committed to supporting local businesses and the provision of free-to-use Wi-Fi in public areas is just one of the innovative ways we are doing this. As well as helping people to stay connected whilst visiting our town centres, this scheme will enable town councils and business groups to improve services and offerings to attract more visitors.”
Cllr Will Windell, Mayor of Southwold said: “Southwold Town Council is delighted to be part of this new scheme which aims to help residents, visitors and businesses connect with each other. This new technology will help us understand how people use the town so we can improve services as well as signposting residents and visitors to the many exciting events that Southwold has to offer.”
Woodbridge Town Councillor Geoff Holdcroft said: “The Digital Towns programme is a great boost to the town. Not only will shoppers and visitors enjoy free connectivity, but we will also have the helpful information and marketing that can be used to support our high street. This is a great example of the local authority and businesses working together for the greater good.”
New technology will enable the council to understand the number of visitors to the towns, the busiest periods, the average time people spend in the town centre and much more. This will enable the council’s Economic Development Team to provide tailored support for local businesses and provide data-based evidence to support other ongoing projects.
Following these latest launches, East Suffolk Free Wi-Fi is provisionally scheduled to be available in Beccles, Bungay, Halesworth, Aldeburgh, Leiston and Saxmundham by October 2022.
Further information is available at: https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/business/digital-towns/
