SHOPPERS could soon get access to free wi-fi in Southend High Street.

Southend Council is looking for a business partner to instal wi-fi cells into lamp-post in return for advertising when people log on to use it.

The High Street is the first area being looked at for the scheme, but it could be rolled out to other areas while part of the deal could also see improvements made to 3G and 4G coverage in the town.

Businesses will be able to start bidding for the council’s contract from July 6.

Ian Gilbert, deputy leader of the council, said: “We are at the early stages of what could be an exciting project. We are going out to the market throughout the summer to explore howwe could work with a commercial partner to realise our aspiration to deliver improved wi-fi connectivity across the borough and enhance 3G and future 4G coverage for local people, local businesses and our many visitors.

“For our economy to flourish, we need to be at the cutting edge of new technology.”

Free wi-fi for shoppers has been mooted down the years, but it has never become a reality in Southend.

Amy Heathcote, the manager of Toys’n’Tuck, in Queens Road, said: “For shoppers, it’ll be really good.

“I’m not sure how it will benefit shopkeepers though, and we’ve already got places, like the cafes, which offer free wi-fi.

“For people who are just coming down for the day, I imagine they will still use their 3G signal and not make much fuss about free wi-fi.”