Not-for-profit company Renew Newcastle, which was established late last year to find short- and medium-term uses for vacant inner-city buildings, is working on the project with hosting company Ipera.

They expect to have wireless internet available in the next month.

Renew Newcastle board secretary Marni Jackson said the service would help creative arts projects in mall shop fronts, which would otherwise face great expense to install broadband.

It is hoped the free technology will also encourage visitors and shoppers to frequent the mall, which has struggled to attract business and tenants in recent years.

"If you're there at lunch with your laptop and want to send an email, it will be usable," Ms Jackson said.

"We thought providing the WiFi [internet network] was another attraction for people to use this place and use the area."

It follows the introduction in July 2007 of free wireless broadband internet at Beaumont Street, Hamilton.

Suzie Bailey and Jackie Smallcombe said they would connect a laptop to the service to help in running their handmade clothing and jewellery outlet Make Space, a Renew Newcastle project opening soon in the mall.