Newry Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the free Wi-Fi now available in the city centre thanks to a £25k investment. A £20k cash injection from the Department of Social Development coupled with a contribution of £5k from Newry and Mourne District Council makes Newry the latest city in Northern Ireland to attain the service and Chamber Chief Executive Orla Jackson said that it would be greatly beneficial to the area. “Free Wi-Fi will benefit a wide range of users including business people, tourists and local citizens who can now all access the internet via their mobile phones, tablets and laptops free of charge anywhere in the city centre,” she said. In this age of digital information connectivity is proving to be an increasingly important requirement and to have this digital infrastructure now available in Newry is a very valuable asset.” Mayor Michael Ruane also supported the view that free Wi-Fi would have enormous benefits for the city as a whole. “The provision of free Wi-Fi in the city centre will be of great benefit to everyone and will mean that those on the move whether they be tourists or on business will be able to access all means of communications such as social media, emails and apps. Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland welcomed the addition and said the provision of easy access to digital technology is essential to the future development of our towns and cities. This kind of facility has worked well in other towns and is an extra incentive for shoppers and visitors to spend time in the city centre,” he said. The availability of free Wi-Fi in Newry will complement previous public realm schemes in the Monaghan and Hill Street areas and the major public realm scheme currently underway along the Quays area of the city centre.
Newry Reporter
12th February 2014
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