• 350km network provides gigabit-capable connectivity to organisations of every size
• Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, SciTech Daresbury, the Cavern Club, Pret A Manger, National Museums Liverpool, the M&S Bank Arena, Baltic Creative and DoubleTree by Hilton, among customers
• 1000 connections now live
• Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Reaching 1,000 connections is proof that this network is delivering real results and real impact for our economy.”

LCR Connect, the £30m joint venture that built the Liverpool City Region’s full-fibre network, has reached a major milestone with its 1,000th connection.

Launched to tackle poor connectivity and power inclusive growth, LCR Connect now provides gigabit-capable services to organisations of every size – from local SMEs to some of the region’s most high-profile institutions and national brands.

Customers include Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium, SciTech Daresbury, the Cavern Club, Pret A Manger, National Museums Liverpool, the M&S Bank Arena, Baltic Creative and DoubleTree by Hilton.

The milestone reflects both the scale and impact of the 350km business-first fibre network, which is 50% owned by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Unlike national operators, profits from LCR Connect will be reinvested into the local economy, keeping value in the region’s “local wallet.”

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:

“The Liverpool City Region is forward-thinking, dynamic, and ahead of the curve when it comes to critical infrastructure. LCR Connect is not just about faster internet speeds – it’s about creating the foundations for businesses and communities to thrive in a digital world.

“Reaching 1,000 connections is proof that this network is delivering real results and real impact for our economy. This is digital connectivity that goes beyond broadband connection. I’d encourage any local businesses or organisations who aren’t already signed up to seriously look into all the benefits.”

Investment in the network has been instrumental in accelerating fibre deployment across the city region, as part of a drive to make it the most digitally connected in the country. By providing wholesale access to multiple service providers, LCR Connect has enabled choice, competition, and greater coverage for businesses and public services alike.

Daren Baythorpe, CEO of ITS, LCR Connect’s delivery partner, said:

“Reaching this milestone is a great achievement and  shows that businesses large and small are choosing LCR Connect because it gives them the speed, resilience, and reliability they need to compete. From legal firms and creative agencies to stadiums and museums, we’re seeing the benefits ripple right across the region. Resilient fibre plays an essential role in the very fabric of modern business, underpinning the services, systems, and experiences that organisations rely on every day.”

LCR Connect doubled Sci-Tech Daresbury’s internet capacity and future-proofed connectivity for more than 150 cutting-edge science and technology businesses based on the campus.

It also provided Eurovision organisers with specialised circuits in the venue, ensuring the event was broadcast to the largest global audience in the contest’s history and providing connectivity to the world’s media, audience members, and visitors in the city.

A 10-gigabit connection for Baltic Creative is providing ultrafast broadband for more than 100 companies based at the Liverpool hub for digital and creatives.

The LCR Connect network, now provides more than 32,000 local businesses and organisations with access to switch from copper line or more expensive fibre services to a new, competitively priced gigabit-capable service.

In addition to the immediate cost savings, businesses and organisations benefit from full fibre connectivity by improving productivity. Better connectivity brings access to new business processes, increases the speed and reliability of data transfer within and between businesses, with the ability to access agile cloud-based services.

Businesses interested in benefitting from LCR Connect can find out more here.