A "digital transformation of Watford" has taken a step forward this week with free Wi-Fi now available in community centres and sheltered housing schemes.

Watford Borough Council and intechnologyWiFi have announced the completion of the first phase in a wider project to deliver an open, public Wi-Fi service across the town centre.

Work is underway to get the rest of the network up and running, which is planned to cover the town centre area within the ring road, extending to Watford Museum, the Civic Core conservation area, Watford Junction, south-west towards Watford Football Club, Cassiobury Park, West Herts College and the forthcoming Croxley Rail Link stations.

Tina Barnard, chief executive of Watford Community Housing Trust, said having the Wi-Fi in community hubs and sheltered housing forms a key part of the trust's 'social inclusion mission'.

She said: "Helping local residents to get online is important to us. As well as making it quicker and easier to access services, it can also help people to get more involved with what is going on in their local area."

Elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill said: "Nearly all of us use the internet nowadays, so it's wonderful to be extending Wi-Fi to new places in Watford.

"I'm pleased that residents in sheltered housing are some of the first to benefit – the internet is a great way of accessing public services and keeping in touch with friends and family."

An official mobile application for Watford, which aims to act as the ‘go-to’ resource for residents and visitors, is also being developed.

intechnologyWiFi is providing the technology at no cost to the council or its users.

Natalie Duffield, CEO of intechnologyWiFi, said: "As a key partner in Watford’s digital transformation, it’s exciting to support the council to deliver better connectivity to its residents, businesses and visitors.

"This first phase of delivery is the beginning of a transformative journey for the town as it becomes a digital leader, and I’m very proud to see our services start to go live for the benefit of users in Watford’s community centres.

"City planners are increasingly looking to free, public Wi-Fi providers to support them in achieving seamless connectivity, whether they mean to ensure that no member of the community faces digital exclusion, or are looking to further smart city initiatives to improve safety and the environment, manage traffic effectively and support the local economy."