actnow Press Release
January 2008
Cornish villages’ broadband boost
Forty local “priority zones” chosen for actnow support
Forty towns and villages throughout Cornwall are in line for special attention as actnow, the pioneering Cornwall Enterprise-led partnership spearheading broadband development in the county, reaches out to areas where businesses have been slower to adopt the high-speed technology.
The project has named “Broadband Priority Zones” in all parts of the county; communities where the take up of broadband amongst businesses is lower than average. Businesses in these areas are being targeted through an intensive marketing campaign to make sure they are aware of what actnow can offer them.
The actnow reach project is funded by the Rural Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Partnership. Manager Bill Holliday says: “We want to make sure that every single business in rural areas of Cornwall has the chance to benefit from broadband. The benefits to rural businesses are immense including saving time and money as well as opening up new markets.”
One local business that has already benefited from support through actnow reach is Ansum Flowers in Perranporth.
Proprietor Karen Chappell says: “Broadband has made everything so much easier. I offer a florist relay service and that is dependent on very fast communications. With broadband, it is now possible to contact florists nationwide instantly and also to order flowers and other supplies online, making my business more efficient and providing a streamlined service to customers.”
Rebates of at least £60 on broadband costs are available to self employed people and businesses in the Broadband Priority Zones, although businesses must hurry as the offer runs out in March 2008.
Nigel Ashcroft, actnow Project Director, comments: “Our major priority right now is those businesses that have been slower to sign up to broadband as we want to make sure that they do not miss out.”
For more information, call Tim Johnson on 0800 800 935 or visit www.actnowcornwall.co.uk
