Investment offers high speed digital connectivity to rural enterprise centre

Businesses occupying a new, purpose-built rural enterprise facility will be able to benefit from fast, reliable broadband thanks to fibre optic network B4RN – following an investment by Craven District Council.

Langcliffe Quarry, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and close to the market town of Settle, has been transformed from a former waste management depot into a modern, flexible business space featuring a range of business units extending from 1,000 to 8,000 sq ft.

The Enterprise Centre has been built to host new, early stage or growing businesses with access to a new Enterprise Hub including co-working spaces as well as training and meeting rooms and professional business support services.

Through infrastructure installed as part of the development, tenants will have the option to subscribe to connectivity from B4RN’s full fibre symmetrical gigabit broadband network.

Availability of gigabit connectivity at Langcliffe Quarry, along with access to business support and training opportunities, will help businesses efficiently manage their online presence, sales, and marketing to help achieve improved productivity and efficiency.

Craven District Council’s Councillor Simon Myers, lead member for Enterprising Craven, said: “The use of digital technology is transforming the way in which businesses operate, helping them to gain a competitive edge and achieve long-term success.

“Fast, reliable connectivity is vital in rural areas and, through working with partners, the District Council continues to promote the expansion and take up of high quality broadband services.

“At the Langcliffe Quarry Enterprise Centre this has been made possible thanks to Broadband for the Rural North (B4RN).”

B4RN CEO, Michael Lee, said helping rural areas thrive is part of the organisation’s ethos.

He added: “Working with B4RN to build a full-fibre network leaves communities closer and stronger. It’s not just about being better connected, it’s about being able to live and work in a rural community, maintaining existing jobs and creating new ones, and most importantly it’s about being able to see a long-term future for you and your children within your community.”

Funding for the Langcliffe Quarry Enterprise Centre itself was provided by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).