Cupar in Fife is becoming Scotland’s first Digital Improvement District as part of a Digital Towns Programme unveiled by the Scottish Government last year.

Officially launching the initiative in Cupar today, the Government said the development will fulfil the Programme for Government commitment to fund a business improvement district with a focus on enhancing the town’s digital capabilities.

The Digital Improvement District model enables Cupar’s businesses and their local partners to build digital technologies, introducing town centre WiFi, a ‘digital brand’ and website for their town. It will also provide digital skills support, including effective social media use.

Future small towns

The pilot, which is expected to see Cupar act as a potential model for future small town designs, is a partnership with Fife Council, Destination Digital, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and the Association of Businesses in Cupar & District.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, was in Cupar to launch the pilot today.

He said: “This is another exciting step towards achieving our vision for improved connectivity in Scotland. The pilot enables Cupar to showcase its digital capabilities, ultimately demonstrating the need for smart towns as well as smart cities, using a sustainable tailored model.

“Cupar will soon be able to enjoy exemplar WiFi and model the delivery of digital infrastructure within towns through strategic collaborations and partnerships with local businesses, agencies and communities to best meet their needs.

“For some businesses they may begin the journey with their first engagement with social media advertising, but it could also become a test bed for opportunities around the Internet of Things, such as addressing traffic flows, lighting, air quality, flooding, and better business intelligence.

“We will continue to make the investment in our connectivity that is required to support economic growth and boost international competitiveness.”