Queen Mary Hall connects to free, ultra-fast broadband boosting digital access for local community

Kingston Council has teamed up with Hyperoptic, a leading full fibre broadband provider to help residents get connected. The free Wi-Fi connection is available to all visitors and groups using the hall, enabling digitally excluded residents to access the internet without additional cost. Another centre, Kingsnympton Community Hall, will also soon receive a free full fibre internet and Wi-Fi connection. 

Queen Mary Hall reopened in January 2023 after a major refurbishment by Kingston Council and joint venture development partner, Countryside. The work has delivered a bigger community kitchen, new meeting area and improved accessibility as well as new flooring, toilets, new electrics and insulated ceiling. The hall has now become a centrepiece for the local community, delivering a range of clubs, groups, free community projects and events for local residents, young people and charities. 

In another step in Kingston Council’s strategy to bring affordable, fast internet to thousands of council properties across the borough, Community Fibre connections have been installed at Sheep House Way, South Lane Estate and the first blocks of Alpha Road. New connections from Hyperoptic have also been enabled at Cambridge Gardens and Kingsmill Business Park. In the coming months, the remaining homes at Alpha Road will be connected, along with other sites at Cumberland House, Kingsnympton Park and School Lane. The new connections like this will allow residents to benefit from cheaper social tariffs while not compromising on the full fibre speed of the available internet. 

This initiative is part of a wider effort to increase connectivity and digital inclusion for all Kingston residents. In a  pilot Digital Inclusion programme, the Council is working with We Are Digital to deliver 1-2-1 training to residents who are unemployed or on low incomes and need access to digital devices or support with confidence and skills in using them. 

An adviser delivering the pilot described the impact the programme has had on one of the participants: 

“He said he found the sessions really helpful, and he is enjoying his new laptop. He has become more confident using computers, as in our previous appointments, he wanted to do everything on his phone. He’s been using his new skills to apply for work and has actually since been offered a job."

Deputy Leader of Kingston Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Leisure Cllr Alison Holt said the council understood the importance of residents having access to the internet: 

“The new Wi-Fi connection at Queen Mary Hall will make a big difference for residents . This presents a great opportunity to support the community in building digital skills, and bridging the digital divide. It will also improve the delivery of existing services and a variety of community support initiatives at the hall.”

“We are committed to continuing to bring full fibre broadband to the borough’s social housing, especially those in more disadvantaged areas, to reduce impact of digital exclusion and enable access to cutting edge technologies. Newly connected broadband can make a big difference to residents' standard of living, employment and educational opportunities, and community bonding.”