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Stirling’s free city centre Wi-Fi system has given shoppers and business owners a significant digital boost with more than 20,000 users logging on annually since its launch five years ago.
Each spends just over an hour and a half online, with 94% connecting via their mobile phone, and the majority are young people aged between 18 and 24.
British English is the top language selected followed by US English, chosen by 15% of users, and then German, Spanish and Italian are the next most popular options.
The initiative was spearheaded by Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District) who joined forces with Stirling Council to launch a free Wi-Fi service covering the entire city centre in 2021.
It was one of the key ideas outlined in Go Forth’s 2017-2022 business plan and BID members have benefitted from the system’s advertising capabilities.
The scheme was part-funded by a Stirling Council grant of £47K and a further £10K secured from the Scottish Government’s Regional Recovery Fund and highlighted the importance of local investment in internet connectivity and digital transformation.
Go Forth continues to build on that investment and will further its digital ambitions with the forthcoming launch of the new digital town hub, ‘In Stirling,’ which is designed to become the city’s online home and go-to resource for discovering everything happening across Stirling.
Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “We’re committed to promoting Stirling as a Digital City and supporting a smarter, more connected city where digital connectivity is a central part of the visitor experience.
“The free and fast public network helps people discover businesses and find recommendations while they’re in the city.
“And that experience will be further enhanced following the launch of ‘In Stirling’ which will give residents and visitors information on absolutely everything Stirling has to offer in the palm of their hand.”
The Wi-Fi system also offers a boost to BID levy-paying businesses who have the option to advertise for free on the landing page.
Ms McRorie-Smith added: “With more than 20,000 users connecting to the Wi-Fi service each year, this is a fantastic opportunity for the business community to engage with visitors and promote their offers, events and services free of charge.”
The service covers key outdoor areas across the city centre BID zone as well as providing a seamless connection with the Thistles Wi-Fi network making it simple and free for visitors and residents to stay connected.
Go Forth also uses the Wi-Fi network to conduct surveys and in recent years, users have been asked about their views on the city environment, Stirling Council’s visitor levy scheme and wayfinding around Stirling.
The Wi-Fi service has been accessed by 8,555 users so far this year while there were 22,301 visits during 2025 and an annual average of approximately 20,000 during the two previous years.
Users spend an average of one hour and 38 minutes connected to the network, with Saturdays proving the busiest day. The largest user group is aged 18–24, followed by those aged 25–34.
The data illustrates the benefits for businesses who want to advertise on the system and provides information which helps the BID understand visitor behaviour and in turn supports future marketing and place management plans.
Free Wi-Fi for the city centre was one of the central goals set out in the BID’s original five-year business plan.
Ms McRorie-Smith added: “This was one of the major aims of our initial business plan and five years on, it’s rewarding to see how much of a success it has been in uptake among residents, shoppers and visitors and in providing essential support to Stirling businesses.”
Residents and visitors can access the service – ‘Go Forth Stirling Free Wi-Fi’ – via their smartphone or other device.
And BID businesses who want to advertise their services or run a survey via the system can find out more by emailing admin@goforthstirling.co.uk or visit the dedicated webpage – WIFI – Go Forth Stirling BID
Go Forth Stirling is the city’s BID representing more than 600 business owners with a key objective of increasing visitors to the city and devising initiatives to help make it a more welcoming destination for businesses and shoppers.
For more information visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk
