Preston Digital Cooperative

Connecting people and organisations across Preston

We bring public bodies, community organisations and businesses together around shared digital infrastructure — so that the benefits of a connected city reach everyone in Preston.

Connectivity for community organisations

We have built a new fibre network connecting community centres across Preston to high-speed internet. Centres use it for digital skills training, employment support and access to services for residents who face barriers to getting online.

Shared infrastructure for public and private sector

The network is available to public bodies and businesses as well as community organisations — saving costs on public service delivery, and offering businesses new ways to add value.

A growing digital and tech community

PDC will be a membership network for Preston's digital and technology sector — bringing businesses, freelancers and public sector together to share knowledge and collaborate. More on this soon.

A fibre ring across Preston

A resilient fibre ring connects nine community centres to a hub at Preston Town Hall, with each site getting a dedicated gigabit link — fast enough for training rooms, staff and public access running simultaneously. The ring self-heals: if a section fails, traffic re-routes automatically. Active services — Wi-Fi, content filtering and managed internet — are now being installed across all sites.

Map of the Preston Digital Network

Phase 1 — complete

Nine community centres connected: Raft CIC, Vine House, Katherine Beckett Centre, Plungington Community Centre, Preston Vocational Centre, Unity Centre, Sahara Centre, Raza Community Centre and Foxton Centre — all linked to Preston Town Hall.

Phase 2 — underway

Wi-Fi, content filtering and managed internet are being installed across all Phase 1 sites. The network spine is also being extended to reach further community centres, including Ribbleton, Tanterton and others.

Built on shared cooperative infrastructure

The Preston Digital Network runs over fibre built and operated by Cooperative Network Infrastructure (CNI) — a cooperative society that creates and maintains shared passive digital infrastructure across England for the mutual benefit of its members. PDC uses and enables the infrastructure; CNI builds and owns it. The model is deliberately neutral — CNI does not compete with its members — making the network genuinely shared rather than proprietary.

~60
Members, public & private
8+
Areas across England
cni.coop →
Find out more

By and for its members

PDC is open to any organisation with an interest in Preston's digital future. One member, one vote — regardless of size or sector. If you are interested in joining or finding out more, get in touch or sign up below.

Community and voluntary organisations

PDC supports organisations working with people facing barriers to getting online — whether through skills, devices or connectivity. Community centres, housing associations, faith groups, charities.

Get in touch →

Public sector bodies

Public bodies — health, education, housing — can use shared infrastructure to reduce costs, while contributing to a digital economy that works for the whole city.

Get in touch →

Digital and tech businesses

Preston's digital and tech sector is growing. PDC is building a membership network for businesses that want to collaborate, share intelligence, and access public sector opportunities.

Get in touch →

Stay informed

Leave your details and we will keep you updated as PDC develops — new connections, membership news, events and more. No spam, no third parties.

Get in touch

For general enquiries, membership questions or press enquiries, email us. We are a small team and will respond as quickly as we can.

hello@preston.coop
  • Email hello@preston.coop
  • Website preston.coop
  • Address Preston Town Hall
    Lancaster Road
    Preston PR1 2RL
  • Registered as Preston Digital Cooperative Limited
    Cooperative society, registered with the FCA