Lift-off for Digital Services - Photo/interview opportunity

News release

14th May 2013

The first ever Lincolnshire Technology Hub will launch in Mablethorpe this month to give residents and businesses access to cutting-edge digital technology.

In a bid to ensure those living and working on the coast can make use of digital equipment and online services, the first ever Technology Hub, based at the new Coastal Community Centre on Victoria Road, will offer the chance to borrow equipment such as cameras and iPads and use 3D technology on site.

The onlincolnshire initiative will give people the chance to learn more about emerging technology and how it can help them, test-drive new equipment before making a purchase, access workshops and connect with other businesses. The volunteer-run Coastal Community Centre has been set up as a vital community resource, and is a UK Online Centre. The facility offers one-to-one IT training as well as access to community services and rooms for hire for clubs, business meetings, events or group activities.

Both initiatives will be officially launched on Tuesday 21st May between 10am and 3pm, with an open day at the centre, demonstrations of the equipment available and a slice of cake for visitors.

Councillor Colin Davie from Lincolnshire County Council, which runs the onlincolnshire project, said: “The launch of the first of our Lincolnshire Technology Hubs is an exciting development for our project. The idea behind the hubs is to help bring the best and latest technology to parts of the county which might not historically have access to cutting-edge digital services – and best of all, it’s available to access for free.

“We’re hoping that businesses will embrace the services available and use what we’re offering to develop and grow. We think what we’re offering through the hub works really well to complement what the Coastal Community Centre is doing, and it will become a huge draw for the town.”

The hub has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It will house a desktop 3D printer, hand-held colour 3D scanner and a high precision laser cutter and engraver, while the ‘Sharing Circle’ offers iPads, mobile phones with 4G, GoPro cameras and a GigaPan Epic Pro camera for creating panoramic images. All of the equipment can be borrowed and used for free, with just a small charge to cover insurance costs and materials used.

Steve Hinsley, centre co-ordinator at the Coastal Community Centre, said: “Mablethorpe was in desperate need for a space which could be used by the whole community and this centre has filled that gap.

“It’s a vital resource for the town, offering people the chance to get to grips with IT skills and access community services and advice. And we’re thrilled that the onlincolnshire team has made our centre the home of the first ever Lincolnshire Technology Hub. The hub will help position the centre as a place to come to access the newest technology available.”

The centre is open Monday to Wednesday from 10am till 3.30pm and Thursday and Friday 10.30am till 3.30pm. Rooms can, however, be hired outside of these hours.

To find out more about the equipment on offer, or to find inspiration on how it could help you, visit www.digitallincs.com, drop into the Coastal Community Centre or call 01507 479165.

Ends

Photo/ interview opportunity: An official ribbon cutting will take place at 11am. Volunteers who run the centre as well the onlincolnshire team will be available for interviews.

Notes to Editors:

About onlincolnshire

• 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 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
• 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.

About the Coastal Community Centre:

• The Coastal Community Centre is being run by volunteers from the Boatshed charity
• Mablethorpe’s Town Centre Manager Karen Froggat is based at the centre
• Every Tuesday between 10am and 1pm, centre users can also access advice from:

            The Credit Union

            East Lindsey District Council’s Housing Department

            Health trainers

            New Lynx Housing

            The Children’s Centre

            British Legion Community Voluntary Services

            Neighbourhood Management

• For further information about the centre, call 01507 479165 or visit www.mablethorpeboatshed.org/mablethorpe-coastal-centre.html

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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