The owners of The Square Shopping Centre in Camberley, Surrey, are looking for businesses and retailers who want to experience and test the latest technology in the UK’s first fully 5G enabled shopping centre.

“We are looking to hear from businesses of all sizes who want the opportunity to be a part of this incredible, ground-breaking, step change for the retail industry,” said a statement from Surrey Heath Borough Council. “We believe 5G is the future of retail so if you’re a business that’s interested in working with global leaders in 5G technology register your interest. We’re not talking mobile phones here, this is real 5G, the type of network that can power autonomous vehicles, remote surgeries and make virtual and augmented realities common place.”

Once live across the 45,000m² retail centre, The Square, will be the first shopping centre of its kind in the UK and only the third in existence anywhere in the world. The 5G retail technology is at the forefront of current research with some applications driving better customer experience through data driven artificial intelligence, machine learning and XR strategies.

Some of the applications will include digital signage, computer vision, dynamic pricing, robotics, logistics, intelligent personalised advertising and immersive customer experiences.

As well as 5G infrastructure, the centre will provide businesses with access to the Surrey University 5G labs and Verizon’s 5G Labs to assist with the 5G ecosystem, 5G technology and commercial business case.

“This is a really exciting area for businesses to trailblaze new technologies and ways of working in a supportive and encouraging environment,” said Alan McClafferty, Surrey Heath Borough Council’s leader. “We believe by equipping our shopping centre with full 5G infrastructure we are blueprinting the future of retail. I’d encourage all businesses big and small to be a part of this national first.”

Partnering the project is the University of Surrey at its 5G Innovation Centre at the Institute for Communication Systems. It is researching the potential applications of 5G infrastructure. Rahim Tafazolli, founder of the 5G Innovation Centre, said: “Providing the cutting-edge technology for the UK’s first fully 5G-enabled shopping centre gives Camberley’s retailers a head-start in the race to transform retail for the future.”

Rhoda Joseph, The Square shopping centre manager, added: “During this time of change on our high streets and shopping centres, the introduction of 5G in Camberley shows how forward thinking and ahead of the game the town is. I look forward to this great initiative and believe it will be of great benefit for businesses and those shoppers who will use it personally.”

The initiative is also supported by StoryFutures, a Royal Holloway University organisation that supports R&D projects in virtual and augmented reality by working closely with growing SMEs.