Market traders and cafes and pubs with outdoor spaces will be able to connect to free Wi-Fi more effectively thanks to East Riding of Yorkshire Council providing internet access in key outdoor areas of Bridlington, Goole, Hornsea, Withernsea, Beverley, Pocklington, Hedon, and Howden.
Lisa Gray, who runs The Little Cheese Pantry at Beverley’s Saturday Market, said: “For a while now, there have been signal problems in the centre of Beverley, which has meant many of the traders have struggled to use their card machines.
“This is frustrating for not only the traders but the customers too. I think the installation of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Wi-Fi will hugely impact the service our traders can offer customers, and potentially increase sales.”
Public Wi-Fi has proved popular since being installed in the new outdoor areas, with an average of 1,478 connections per day.
Users should simply connect to the “EastRidingFreeWiFi” network and provide their email address. They will then be directed to a Visit East Yorkshire page full of information relevant to the town they are in.
Councillor Charlie Dewhirst, deputy leader of the council, said: “Access to digital services is an essential part of our lives, and we all know how frustrating it can be when mobile data is not available when we’re out and about.
“By providing free public Wi-Fi, as part of our wider Smart County programme, we hope to improve the way businesses, residents, and visitors access digital services in our town centres, marketplaces and beachfronts.”
