New project sees Wi-Fi extended across wider area of Great Yarmouth and Gorleston

Paid for with £190,000 of Government funding, free Wi-Fi will be available along the seafront - including the beach - and town centre and along Regent Road to Marine Parade. It will also be accessible in the boating lake area of Gorleston seafront and will then be installed in King Street in Great Yarmouth.

The town already has free Wi-Fi in the Marketplace, which was funded by Go Trade. The new service will complement the existing network.

Councillor Daniel Candon, Great Yarmouth Borough Council's portfolio holder for Economic Development and Growth, said: ''Expanding the footprint for free Wi-Fi in Great Yarmouth will be transformational for residents, visitors, businesses and those who work or study here. We are grateful for the Government's Town Deal funding which paid for the entire project.

''Working in conjunction with partners, we hope wider free Wi-Fi will support economic growth, boost our tourism industry, attract new businesses as well as showcase the wealth of heritage the borough has to offer. I would like to thank Gorleston Pavilion for its generous support to enable us to launch the new service.''

The technology will also offer the council and businesses the opportunity to track visitor footfall and dwell times.

People will also be able to use a free public Internet Access Centre based in the town's new library and university hub, The Place, which officially opened last week in the Market Place.

Gorleston Pavilion manager Alex Youngs said: "We know there's a clear link between digital access and economic opportunity and we're proud to support this initiative by helping to host the service from our building.

''Free Wi-Fi will be a real boost for the town - helping people access services, navigate the area and make the most of local businesses and attractions. It's a meaningful improvement for both the visitor experience and the Gorleston's economy and we hope everyone will enjoy it."

To make sure the new service offers the greatest possible benefits and provides value for money, Great Yarmouth Borough Council liaised with Bournemouth Borough Council and Southend Borough Council which have both introduced similar schemes successfully.

Councillor Candon said: ''We want everyone to have access to the internet because we know it will improve the digital literacy and skills of our residents. Digital exclusion disproportionately affects vulnerable people, low-income groups, the elderly and more marginalised communities. Free Wi-Fi will help us tackle those challenges.

''We also know that by making it easier to communicate, collaborate and share it will provide pathways to higher-value jobs and economic inclusion, ultimately building a more resilient local economy.''