Free WiFi delayed again

FREE WiFi will not be in place in Nuneaton and Bedworth town centres until Easter – almost a year after the £85,000 contract was signed.

After hinting that it would be live by Christmas, the borough council has now said that free access to the internet will not be ready until Easter time.

It has been revealed that the council entered into a three year contract to provide the WiFi systems, as well as footfall trackers, on April 30 last year.

But works were delayed and it was hoped that the WiFi would go live in time for the festive season – but this failed to materialise.

Councillor Dennis Harvey, leader at the Town Hall, has explained that they hope that people will be able to use the WiFi by Easter.

“The preliminary work is underway and we anticipate that the system will be fully installed and tested by Easter.”

It was thought that the council had starting paying off the £85,000 contract but Cllr Harvey explained that the local authority has just paid a deposit so far for the works.

“A contract to provide town centre WiFi was agreed last year with the supplier,” the Town Hall leader said

“When entering into contracts of this nature it is standard practice to make a deposit upon signing of the contract; our supplier required such a deposit to be made before any work commenced on site

“We will pay the balance of the invoice to the supplier upon completion of the work to our satisfaction at which point the contract will formally start.

The free town centre WiFi is part of a new ‘digital High Street’ that the council wants to create to bring a muchneeded boost to both town centres.

“We want to create better platforms where we can engage with people and attract more visitors to our towns,” said Jonathan White, the town centre’s manager.

Just before Christmas the council launched a bespoke website, www.nbbinvest.co. uk, which showcases the benefits of doing business in Nuneaton and Bedworth. Another website, highlighting events locally, is also set to be created.