Residents living in one of Blackburn’s most iconic buildings can now access low-cost high-speed broadband thanks to a new partnership.

Great Places Housing Group provides rented homes and tenancy services as well as accommodation and services that focus on helping people gain independence and wellbeing.  They have over 24,000 properties across the Northwest and Yorkshire.

In Blackburn, they manage the Bowland House building which dominates the Larkhill skyline.

Great Places are now working with Opus Broadband so residents can access high speed broadband internet.

A spokesperson from Great Places Housing Group said: “We chose to work with Opus Broadband as we had heard of their positive work with other businesses within our local area, and that their new emerging technology could help solve a multitude of digital issues within social housing.

"We were able to work with Opus Broadband and get our customers connected so that they can access our online portals, get real time information and place service requests with us.

"Opus Broadband have been so easy to work with and the whole experience has been engaging and positive. Hopefully, in the future working with Opus will allow us to give more digitally innovative and effective solutions towards our tenants and users.

"If you are digitally disconnected you can lose so many important things such as friends, family, savings and the ability to upskill themselves, so it was important to us to get a reliable and strong connection into Bowland House to suit our users needs and future needs.”

Opus Broadband is working with local housing associations to offer low-cost and affordable broadband connections to families across the region.

As part of Opus Broadband’s commitment to communities across the Northwest the company is rolling out its ‘Internet For Everyone’ campaign and donating free broadband connections to families and local groups that provide vital services to communities.

Charlotte Core from Opus Broadband said: “Bowland House is one the town’s most iconic buildings.

“We are delighted to be linking up with Great Places Housing Group and helping families connect to high-speed broadband.

“We realise that people are facing cost-of-living crisis, and we want to ensure that we can offer broadband support that will helps families where children need the internet for homework, people can apply for jobs, or be able to work from home.”