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Mayor of North Yorkshire visits Harrogate company to reduce digital inequality

Friday, 31 October 2025 10:50

Techbuyer, Harrogate.

A Harrogate technology company and a partner charity focused on digital inclusion welcomed the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, as part of a visit centre.

Techbuyer, which provides sustainable IT solutions from its headquarters in Harrogate, is working with charity Reusing IT to refurbish and redistribute laptops and computers to individuals and schools who may not otherwise have access to them.

The charity operates a refurbishment facility inside Techbuyer’s Hornbeam Park warehouse, with ambitions to replicate the model with other partners in the future.

Reusing IT originally supported pupils overseas, including students in Africa, and now also provides devices to people in the UK and those affected by conflict in Ukraine.

During the visit, the Mayor toured the facility and discussed how technology could help remove barriers to education and opportunity for young people locally.

Mayor David Skaith highlighted the role of local businesses in addressing digital exclusion and the importance of collaboration.

He said:

“Local businesses like Techbuyer are giving another lease of life to old laptops, giving vital tools to those who can’t afford them.

"This is a fantastic example of a business being environmentally and socially responsible, but we can have a greater impact in our communities when we work together.

"Through our Digital Adoption Grant and our skills programmes, we’re already supporting our communities and are committed to going further to get more people in York and North Yorkshire online.”

The visit formed part of wider engagement between local businesses and the Mayor’s office aimed at improving digital access, sustainability and skills opportunities across the region.

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