Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa Receives Award for Pioneering Rural Broadband
An award scooped by a hotel on the Suffolk/Essex border has highlighted the importance of high-speed internet for businesses in rural areas.
Leavenheath, England - July 16, 2013 - Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa has overcome geographical obstacles to achieve speeds of around 20mbps, after recognizing how crucial being connected is to their business.
The hotel won the award at the Business Broadband Initiative Award at the East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards, where they were also winners of the Family Business Award, and runners up of Business of the Year.
Against a backdrop of the National Audit Office's announcement that the government's rollout of 'superfast' broadband to rural areas is two years behind schedule, the award highlights the need for businesses in these areas to have a high-speed connection or risk losing business.
Their previous broadband connection had only been 0.5mbps, but by investing in a radio-based line getting speeds up to 20mbps has enabled them to remain competitive.
Susanna Rendall, Managing Director of Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa, said: “The hotel hosts landmark events such as the Bank of England Lunch, European Senior Tour and Challenge Tour international golf events, and broadband is crucial to our business.
“This ranges from everyday business needs such as email and editing our website, to uploading golfers' details and competition results, higher speed broadband is essential for us to compete with other hotels. It has also allowed us to incorporate precision farming techniques in our fruit production business such as pest monitoring, irrigation and cold storage controls.”
The 80-bedroom four-star hotel includes a two AA rosette restaurant, spa and fitness club, two championship golf courses with a clubhouse and shop, and an extensive conference and banqueting centre. The resort also includes luxury country lodges, all set in 300 acres of stunning Constable Country.
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