Hub Demo A Huge Success

News Release

6th September

See below for high res photos

A demo event showcasing equipment which could soon be used at a new Technology Hub in Horncastle has been hailed a huge success.

Around 30 businesses and organisations have been trying out cutting-edge digital equipment offered through the Lincolnshire County Council-run broadband project ahead of the launch of its second free hub. 

The demo event took place yesterday (Thursday 5th September) at the Meridian Leisure Centre in Louth, which is also due to be home to a Technology Hub later in the year.

The initiative, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), offers access to equipment including laser cutters, 3D printers and scanners, 3D TVs and 3D video cameras.

The aim of the demo event was to get feedback from businesses which could use the resource to ensure that the equipment chosen will be of benefit.  The Horncastle Hub will eventually be based at Mortons of Horncastle, an independent printing and publishing business.

Councillor Colin Davie from Lincolnshire County Council said: “We’re thrilled with the turn-out at our demonstration event and the numbers show that there is a real level of interest from businesses looking to take the next steps into the digital age.

“We’ve seen managing directors, representatives from organisations such as The Prince’s Trust and sole traders, so there is a diverse mix of businesses which could eventually use the hub.  We’ll now look at all the feedback to determine what equipment we’ll look to place in the Horncastle Hub early next year.”

The day was informal, with people dropping in at a time suitable for them and staying as long as they like. It is hoped the Horncastle Hub it will open early in 2014.

Nick Scully, Research and Development Manager at Martin Manufacturing in Louth, attended the event.  “It’s great to see the equipment in use and understand the applications it could be used for,” explained Nick, who also got to see some of the 3D motion sensor kit which will be available through the Louth Hub once it opens.

“The motion sensor kit, which works by measuring speed, is something I didn’t expect to see.  It could help us with high-speed filming of fluid flows, which we can then use to refine some of our designs. That kind of data is almost impossible to gather otherwise.”

Philip Sharpe, Chairman of Mortons of Horncastle, said: “The equipment available is very exciting.  We are delighted that Mortons has been chosen to be a Technology Hub and pleased by how successful the demonstration event has been.

“It will offer businesses a chance to test-drive equipment before making an investment, or just take advantage of the free use of equipment, paying only for the materials used. We want to see as many people as possible making use of such a valuable resource.”

All of the equipment purchased for the hubs through the onlincolnshire project can be borrowed and used for free by eligible businesses, with just a small charge to cover insurance costs and materials used. 

Ends

Notes to Editors

About onlincolnshire

• Small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) in Lincoln City, Boston and East Lindsey are eligible to use the hubs through the ERDF funding regulations.
• onlincolnshire is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013.
• Some Internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 7.6 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
• The contract with BT concentrates on an intervention area of over 150,000 premises where existing or planned commercial roll outs would not deliver superfast speeds. This will mean that at least 94% of all premises should have access to fibre broadband by April 2016.
• The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
07985 143990
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @CerriDelaney

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