Elevate has been awarded a contract to build a full fibre internet network for St Helens Borough Council, as part of the council’s transformational Digital Infrastructure Programme.
The network will increase Internet speeds and reliability for residents and businesses across the town centre.
The roll-out directly supports the regeneration of the town centre as part of the Town Fund Programme, funded by government’s Ministry of Homes, Communities and Local Government, and underpins St Helens’ digital ambitions, ensuring infrastructure will service the requirements of residents, businesses and visitors for decades to come.
Chris Baldock, Chairman at Elevate, said, "We’re absolutely delighted to be working with St Helens Borough Council to bring the people and businesses of the town the connectivity they deserve.
"Access to fast, affordable, reliable Internet is essential to growing the local economy, attracting investment in the region, helping local businesses grow and making it easier for the people of St Helens to work remotely for national or international companies. We have extensive experience delivering full fibre infrastructure across the UK’s major cities, and we’re looking forward to bringing this experience to bear for St Helens.
"As part of the contract, Elevate will also work with Tute Education, an online education partner for local authorities, schools, and non-mainstream settings. Elevate will give Tute a percentage of the investment directly to further drive social value by supporting schools, students, parents, and carers across St Helens, making quality education more accessible. Tute is working to build an education system that enables any child, anywhere, to achieve their potential."
Councillor Anthony Burns, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said, "This Town Deal project is a key part of our transformational work to develop St Helens town centre and will prove a real boost to businesses, residents and visitors, enabling better support for things like future 5G connectivity in the borough.
"This scheme will also provide digital infrastructure pulling together the other Town Deal project sites across St Helens town centre, making us one of the most digitally connected towns in the region."
The Council have been supported in the development of the project by digital infrastructure experts CJ Founds Associates, who have helped the Council develop the commercial case and contracting strategy, including wider innovative use cases and digital initiatives. As part of the delivery programme, this includes dig once strategies and engagement and consultation with key stakeholders within the town centre.
Following a competitive tender process, the contract was awarded to Elevate due to the company’s hypercity approach, full stack offer and own engineers, reassuring the council that the entire project will be managed through and accountable to Elevate. Elevate has previously rolled out connectivity across London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Liverpool and Cardiff.