MORE than 300 business in York have taken up grants of up to £3,000 made available to help them access high speed broadband.

As the Connection Voucher scheme closes, figures have revealed around 350 York businesses and registered charities have benefitted since its launch in April 2014.

Further afield, figures for York, Harrogate, Selby and the East Riding show 751 vouchers were issued.

Funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the scheme offered grants of up to £3,000 for SMEs and registered charities seeking faster and better broadband.

Cllr Ian Gillies, executive member for Transport and Planning said: "I am delighted that so many businesses and charities have benefitted from this scheme which looked to improve digital infrastructure across the city.

"Despite the end of the scheme there are still many exciting projects taking place across the city to develop York’s connectivity, including increased WiFi provision across the city and private sector investment which could see York become the UK’s first Gigabit city by 2017."

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said: "Our Broadband Connection Voucher Scheme has been a tremendous success. More than 300 small businesses in York have taken up the offer, many of which are already seeing significant boosts to their business as a result of improved broadband speeds.

"We’re transforming the UK’s digital landscape, helping cities like York to create new jobs and attract investment to make the UK an enviable business destination.”

The voucher scheme is just one element of York’s strategy to become the best connected digital city in the UK. In the past year funding from the DCMS has seen the world’s first child friendly city centre WiFi, as well as WiFi in public buildings and buses across the city. Last year York also announced a private sector partnership which aims to see York become the UK’s first Gigabit city in 2017.