Stirling’s free city centre Wi-Fi network has delivered a significant digital boost to shoppers, visitors and businesses, with more than 20,000 users logging on annually since its launch five years ago.
The initiative, led by Go Forth Stirling BID in partnership with Stirling Council, has become a key part of the city’s digital infrastructure, supporting both visitor experience and business engagement across the city centre.
Usage data shows that users spend an average of one hour and 38 minutes connected to the network, with 94% accessing the service via mobile phones. The largest proportion of users falls within the 18–24 age group, followed by those aged 25–34, highlighting strong engagement among younger visitors.
British English is the most commonly selected language on the network, while 15% of users opt for US English. German, Spanish and Italian complete the top five languages, reflecting Stirling’s appeal to international visitors.
The free Wi-Fi service, launched in 2021, was a central commitment within Go Forth Stirling’s 2017–2022 business plan. It was delivered with financial support including a £47,000 grant from Stirling Council and a further £10,000 from the Scottish Government’s Regional Recovery Fund.
Today, the network covers key outdoor areas across the city centre BID zone and offers seamless connectivity with the Thistles Wi-Fi network, ensuring uninterrupted access for users.
Beyond connectivity, the platform also provides tangible benefits for BID levy-paying businesses, which can promote offers, services and events free of charge via the Wi-Fi landing page. The network also enables Go Forth Stirling to gather valuable insights through user surveys, helping to inform future marketing strategies and place management decisions.
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 forthcoming ‘In Stirling’ digital town hub is set to build on the success of the Wi-Fi network, acting as a central online destination for events, businesses and visitor information.
The latest figures show 8,555 users have already accessed the service so far this year, following 22,301 visits recorded in 2025 and an annual average of around 20,000 over the previous two years. Saturdays consistently emerge as the busiest day for usage.
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.
“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.”
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Go Forth Stirling BID represents more than 600 businesses across the city and continues to focus on initiatives designed to increase footfall and enhance Stirling’s appeal as a welcoming destination.
Residents and visitors can access the service, ‘Go Forth Stirling Free Wi-Fi’, via their smartphone or device. Businesses interested in advertising or running surveys through the platform can find out more by contacting [email protected] or visiting the Go Forth Stirling website.
