Ryedale District Council has launched free Public Wi-Fi in Malton, Pickering and Helmsley that will boost businesses and benefit shoppers and visitors returning to the town centres this month.

Ryedale District Council was awarded £13,500 funding as part of the WiFi4EU initiative - an EU funded scheme which hopes to develop more digital communities and improve digital access across the EU.

The deployment of free Wi-Fi in three of Ryedale’s market towns will ease congestion on the 3G and 4G networks and give communities better access to online services and information, improve digital skills and foster economic growth.

Phillip Spurr, Programme Director for Economic Development, Business and Partnerships, said:

“The WiFi4EU initiative complements Ryedale District Council’s commitment to improving digital connectivity for the benefit of citizens, businesses and visitors in Ryedale. Providing free Wi-Fi hotspots in Malton, Pickering and Helmsley is a positive step forward to allowing everyone access to the benefits that the internet provides and promoting Ryedale as a progressive and attractive place to invest, visit and do business.

“This development also offers a further incentive for people to support local business owners who are looking forward to welcoming people back to the high street safely when lockdown restrictions are lifted.”

Users will be able to access the network by switching on the Wi-Fi on their device and joining the WiFi4EUnetwork.