Tendring District: Firms handed superfast broadband hope

MORE than 120 delegates attended a half-day social media and broadband “summit” event organised by Tendring District Council.

The event, held at the Princes Theatre in Clacton, was sponsored by Business Link and also supported by Essex County Council, the Federation of Small Businesses and BT.

Delegates received advice from Christian Bone, partnership director at Business Link East, on how they could benefit from using social media websites, alongside more traditional forms of marketing, and Annette Thorpe, regional partnership director at BT, gave an update on superfast broadband.

She said superfast speeds were on their way to Tendring with upgraded cabinets installed in the Manningtree exchange, and more to follow at Clacton, Frinton and Wivenhoe exchanges over the coming months.

“Decisions are made on viability and they are commercial decisions, but there is an opportunity to influence the market by signing up to the service,” she said.

Other speakers at the event included Mary Lumkin, people and behaviours research team leader at BT, and Philip Wilson, policy manager at Essex County Council, while business case studies were provided by Sara Foster from Clacton Factory Outlet and Jane O’Riordan of Ipswich-based online retailer Jane Hamerton Ltd.

Tendring council leader Neil Stock said: “I was delighted with the turnout, the largest we have had for a business event so far.

“I learnt a lot myself and hope all those who came will take away something to raise the profile of their business and hopefully sell more products.”