Free public access Wi-Fi has gone live in Malton market place.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC), in partnership with its wholly owned Teckal company NYnet Ltd, is rolling out the scheme in 16 market towns across the county in a bid to support recovery and growth for communities and businesses.

Town centre public Wi-Fi is an opportunity to draw people back to local town centres as a destination as more people continue to work from home.

It aims to promote local shops and services and create a different town centre experience.

Free public access Wi-Fi offers opportunities for people with limited or no broadband to access vital local council, government and health services and take part in the digital economy.

County Councillor Don Mackenzie, Executive Member for Access, said: “Our free public Wi-Fi project has enabled everybody in our town centres to get the most out of their visits from finding out about the nearest tourist attractions to the local businesses they can support.

He added: “Following on from the successful introduction of this free service in other parts of the county, people in Malton will now benefit from this latest investment in North Yorkshire’s digital infrastructure."

A £3m investment was awarded by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership as part of its allocation from the government’s Getting Building Fund.

David Dickson, Chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership Infrastructure & Joint Assets Board, said: “Improved digital connectivity is essential to help our regional economy become greener, fairer and stronger. It’s great to see the continued progression of this scheme.”

The government confirmed the list of over 300 successful projects, which will receive a share of £900 million from the Getting Building Fund last year.

The scheme will be seen in towns "from Scarborough to Skipton" and is designed to draw people back to local town centres as a destination.

The huge increase in home working during the pandemic has prompted fears for the future of many town centres and civic leaders are looking at how they can offer a different experience for visitors and residents.

Greg White, the county council's Executive Member for Digital, said: “For the county to make best use of its natural assets, it must not just embrace digital connectivity but lead the way in rural applications of digital connectivity.

"Both the deployment of ‘smart places’ technology and extending the full fibre network will enable this to happen.

Cllr White added: "It will be an important step towards rebalancing the relationship between urban and rural communities as well as unleashing the creativity and innovation we know exists here in the market place.”