Councillor Calls For Wrexham To Be Turned Into Free Wi-Fi Zone

A pioneering scheme to turn Wrexham into the first free wi-fi town in Wales has been put forward by a local councillor.

Plaid Cymru Cllr Arfon Jones for Gwersyllt West has called on Wrexham Council to make the town centre a Wi-Fi zone, where anyone with a smartphone, laptop or tablet can access the internet for free.

As part of the council’s priority to make Wrexham a more prosperous place he has called on the council to carry out a feasibility study into making Wrexham a Wi-Fi town.

Cllr Jones said: “We cannot wait forever for BT to improve broadband speeds or introduce Infinity to this part of Wales, we must grab the opportunity to introduce free Wi-Fi into the town centre.

“This will improve opportunities for traders and business to grow as well as meeting the needs of the rapidly expanding student population who demand the best that technology can offer.

“We don’t need to re-invent the wheel; the technology is already there and being piloted. There are towns like York and Barnsley, which have done this at no cost to the local taxpayer, we need to learn from them.

“There is scope for a partnership between the council, local traders, Glyndwr University, Yale College and companies that want to develop this kind of service for the benefit of the townspeople, traders and visitors.”

He added: “I will be presenting a paper to one of the council’s scrutiny committees on the subject and I very much hope councillors will support this initiative to make Wrexham a more prosperous town.”

The proposals have already received support from local businesses. Kim Sheridan, proprietor of Wrexham Tea and Coffee on the High Street said: “This is a great initiative which would be another selling point for Wrexham in attracting new businesses.”

Plaid Cymru’s regional Assembly Member for North Wales has also backed the move. Llyr Gruffydd AM said: “Access to the internet is critical both for businesses and customers. If this scheme gives the largest town in North Wales the edge in attracting people to shop in the town centre, then it has to be a good thing.

“We’re all aware that town centres across Wales in the 21st century have to offer something extra to bring people in. Having this free wi-fi zone in the town centre is just one extra incentive to shop in Wrexham and I’m very pleased that Plaid Cymru is championing the town centre in Wrexham.”