SIDMOUTH’S Kennaway House has celebrated an ‘essential’ upgrade of its broadband and Wi-Fi provision thanks to a grant from Making it Local.

The funding will enable people to log on to the internet, wherever they are based in the 200-year-old Regency mansion, making it more flexible to those hiring rooms for events and exhibitions.

It could also lead to an internet café being run at the popular venue in the future.

Alex Carrah, who runs Phone & Broadband of Exeter, has sensitively undertaken the work during the past three weeks.

He will be keeping a close eye on the system, which makes special provision for Devon Adult Community Learning’s IT classes in the Sampson Room, as well as enabling future use of loft space as a work hub.

The upgrade is funded by Making it Local - a grants scheme based in the Blackdown Hills and East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Diana Bowerman, chief executive at Kennaway House, said: “We are delighted to have been successful in gaining a 70 per cent grant towards this essential upgrade, which also means we have the facility to offer an internet cafe to the community in the future.

“As a charitable trust, we are grateful to receive grants to be able to provide those extras that help those living in and around Sidmouth.

“We are gaining a good reputation as somewhere to hold business conferences and training days and the improved broadband is vital to ensure every room is available.

“Alex has worked around the classes and events we hold on a daily basis to avoid causing any disruption.”

Alex said: “Kennaway House has been a particularly interesting project as it involves installing discreet devices with no visible aerials or prominent apparatus.

“This has been achieved using low profile smoke alarm style and in-wall wireless access points providing high speed wireless coverage throughout the building.”

As part of his contract, Alex will be maintaining the system for the next two years, ensuring a prompt response to any connectivity issues.