A decade-long broadband project in North Yorkshire has delivered high-speed internet access to over 200,000 homes and businesses, with the initiative bringing tangible benefits to rural enterprises, including those in the outdoor hospitality and glamping sectors.
Overseen by North Yorkshire Council, the Superfast North Yorkshire project was launched more than ten years ago with a total investment exceeding £100 million. The effort aimed to address digital exclusion across rural communities and support local economic development.
Among the beneficiaries is a 300-acre dairy farm in Dallowgill, west of Ripon, that operates a glamping business as part of its diversified rural offering.
The family-run site struggled for years with unreliable internet connectivity that disrupted online bookings and payment systems.
In 2021, Openreach completed broadband upgrades in the area, improving digital services for the business and the wider hamlet.
Joanne Nicholson, who helps manage the site, said: “We were in a pretty dire situation before, as online payments couldn’t really be taken and people were having trouble trying to book a stay via the internet.”
“The superfast broadband has been such a welcome addition not just for us, but for the whole of the hamlet too. It’s helping us to develop the business, and we now have a licence for civil ceremonies to be held here.”
As more glamping operators depend on digital tools to attract and manage guests, reliable internet has become essential.
Stronger connectivity enables real-time booking platforms, mobile payment systems, digital marketing, and the ability to host events such as weddings or retreats, all of which can contribute to extended revenue streams and off-season business.
The broadband project was carried out in partnership with BT, and its commercial success led to the return of more than £27.5 million in public subsidies to the council.
Delivery of the programme was managed by NYnet 100, a company formed to select and coordinate broadband providers. With most properties in North Yorkshire now connected, the council is planning to formally dissolve NYnet 100 at an upcoming executive meeting.
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les described the initiative as transformative. “The success of the superfast broadband project in North Yorkshire has transformed people’s lives,” he told the Gazette & Herald.
“As a council, we took the decision that this work was vital for our communities, and we have now seen how much this pioneering move has paid off.”
Despite the milestone, approximately 11,000 properties in the county still lack adequate internet access.
Councillor Les has called on the government to prioritize these areas under the national Project Gigabit programme, a £5 billion initiative aiming to reach five million hard-to-connect premises across the UK, primarily in rural regions.
For operators in the outdoor hospitality sector, North Yorkshire’s broadband rollout highlights the increasing importance of digital infrastructure in supporting rural tourism businesses.
Reliable internet is no longer optional—it plays a direct role in business continuity, customer engagement, and long-term growth opportunities.