Kentish Express Ashford & District
That’s some seat for an MP to hold ...
Are you sitting comfortably? Shoppers had a chance to perch on a big red sofa as part of a public relations stunt in Ashford town centre last week.
Virgin Media set up the big red chair to boost awareness about its latest expansion of superfast broadband in Ashford.
The company is extending its fibre optic network to a further 8,000 homes and businesses in Ashford, along with a further 100,000 elsewhere in Kent.
The company says it will allow small businesses to enjoy download speeds of up to 350 megabits per second (Mbps) and residents can connect to broadband with download speeds of between 100 Mbps and 300 Mbps – the average in Kent is just 18 Mbps.
Among those who ventured out to see what all the fuss was about were MP Damian Green and council leader Gerry Clarkson, who looked comfortable enough on the red sofa, though perhaps they would have preferred Tory blue.
Cllr Clarkson said: “A growing town like Ashford needs the very best modern technology and we are delighted Virgin Media have chosen our borough for such a significant digital infrastructure investment.
“It will mean we will have some of the best broadband access in the country, which will make a big difference for our residents and businesses.”
He said Ashford Borough Council had made it an important part of its local housing plan to provide fibre optic broadband for the thousands of new homes which are to be built.
Residents interested in connecting to the superfast broadband can register their interest by visiting www. virginmedia.com/cablemystreet