A new network of smart kiosks that provide a range of telecommunication and digital services to the public free of charge could become a feature on Newquay’s streets.

Technology firm Urban Innovation Company (UIC) Limited, has approached Newquay Town Council about installing a number of Pulse Smart Hubs around the town, primarily in the town centre.

The hi-tech hubs are described as being free-standing structures featuring a fully accessible interactive tablet along with larger digital display screens on two sides.

The electronic notice boards offer free public WiFi, free local and national calls, plus mobile phone charging and scope for mobile data offloading and a defibrillator

They also feature a 999 button that connects directly to the police, fire, and medical services in case of an emergency and a free-to-use touchscreen interface to access local maps, services, facilities, and visitor information.

Pulse Smart Hubs additionally offer public messaging to promote the town, local services, and events as well as sensors that capture data on air quality, traffic flow, and footfall that can be used to improve the environment and peoples’ well-being.

Urban Innovation Company pays for the installation, operation and ongoing maintenance of the Hub through paid-for advertising on the main screens.

There would be no cost to the taxpayer and the town council would be offered free advertising space as part of any deal.

Newquay Town Council discussed the offer at its recent meeting. Councillors voted to give the community and tourism committee permission to investigate the proposal further.

The proposed locations are subject to landowner consent and potentially planning permission.

The town council was looking at potentially installing a smart hub outside the council offices in Marcus Hill but the authority has now put that idea on the backburner as a number of Pulse Smart Hubs could be put in place around Newquay instead.

Councillor Joanna Kenny said: “I think the smart hubs are a very interesting and good idea on the face of it.

“The company is telling us it is a very successful initiative in Belfast.

“I would say whether the smart hubs are installed in Newquay or not will depend on a balance between the benefit to the community and the amount of advertising because the company will want to make money.”

Councillor Sarah Thomson added: “I have put forward suggestions for changing some of the placements. The one on the A392 would be in the middle of nowhere really and there is a cluster of them in the middle of town. I know they want them to be in public places, but I thought Porth Beach would be a good place for one.

“I think the cluster in the town centre needs spreading out. The locations do need looking at.”