Businesses and residents of Ashington invited to have their say on digital future

Businesses and residents from Ashington and the surrounding area are being invited to have their say on the future of digital across the town.

Accelerate Ashington - a local business support programme being delivered by Advance Northumberland, funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the North of Tyne Combined Authority as the lead authority has commissioned Urban Foresight, a leading place-based innovation consultancy, to deliver a report looking at Ashington’s digital footprint in terms businesses, residents, and the infrastructure in order to understand the current digital health of Ashington High Street and the wider town.

The report initially reviewed the findings that came before it in previous research projects. Exploring existing footfall and consumer data, looking at previous consultations with the local community. Following that came new research, analysing local social media pages and issuing a digital survey to residents of the High Street and surrounding areas.

With all these findings in place Urban Foresight have provided a comprehensive initial report, the Ashington Digital Audit. The team are now keen to get direct input from businesses and residents from the area through a series of workshops being held at Wansbeck Workspace in Ashington on Tuesday 5th March at 12pm, Wednesday 6th March at 5pm and Thursday 7th March at 12pm.

The plan for the workshops is to present the findings of the initial report along with all corroborating data, then discuss these findings with attendees. Inviting discussion on how to address some of the issues collaboratively with the community. These sessions are an opportunity for local people to engage with the findings of the report and help inform the final product.

Andrew Plant, Accelerate Ashington Programme Manager said: “The goal of this report is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the digital health of Ashington town centre and investigate appropriate methods for supporting the use of digital tools for the businesses and residents."

The initial bench mark report states shows that the baseline understanding of how digital tools are used in Ashington and reveals a clear picture of the support required to improve digital health.

This digital health report is coupled with the upcoming infrastructure developments proposed across the town, the new Northumberland line, a motivated and active community and town council and new houses able to access faster and more stable internet connection.

Paul Cowie, Principal Consultant from Urban Foresight said; “The workshop events provide a chance for all businesses, residents, and key stakeholders from across the area to hear more about the current digital baseline position as well as and have their say on the future of digital tools and technologies and highlight barriers to engaging. I would encourage anyone looking to get involved to register for the workshops to provide feedback and have their say.”

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