Bristol‘s Cabot Circus shopping centre is to offer free Wi-Fi services across its city centre site, it has been revealed.
A deal with internet service provider The Cloud will make the Land Securities and Hammerson owned centre the first mall in the south west of England to provide the service.
Increasing numbers of retailers are introducing Wi-Fi into store, with The Cloud already providing the service to Pret a Manger and Krispy Kreme in Bristol, as mobile shopping grows in prominence.
Kevin Duffy, Centre Director at Cabot Circus, said: “WiFi at Cabot Circus will allow shoppers to surf the web, send tweets and update their status, and even carry on working whilst in the centre – all on a fast, reliable and easy to use internet connection.
“The decision to provide WiFi at Cabot Circus comes as more and more people us the internet on the go. The WiFi will be available to all throughout Cabot Circus and Quakers Friars, and will allow visitors to use their smartphones, ipads and laptops at broadband speed during their visit.”
Consumers increasingly want to check deals, use apps and share product information via social media while they shop, and most retailers realise that by encouraging this they strengthen their offer in the eyes of the consumer.
In recent months both Ted Baker and Phones 4U have signed deals with The Cloud to provide free Wi-Fi in their stores.
Vince Russell, managing director of The Cloud said, “Shoppers are using smartphones and tablets to access very data-heavy content, such as their social media accounts, or video clips and music, when they‘re out and about.
“That means they need a fast and reliable internet connection. The Cloud provides the speed of broadband, with the accessibility of being on the go.”
