Three centres are already operational - in Fordingbridge, Havant and Whitchurch - and these will shortly be joined by Smarter Working Centres in Aldershot, Basingstoke (Worting), Fareham and Gosport. Further centres will be announced next year. 

The innovative website provides an easy introduction for visitors new to the Smarter Working Centre proposition with information ranging from cost-of use to locating your nearest SWC. However the main functionality comes in the form of real-time space availability checking, on-line booking and secure on-line payment. The website also offers the opportunity to register as a member, the area also providing the opportunity to view/amend or report on bookings.

Smarter Working Centres offer entrepreneurs, business start-ups, home-based businesses and commuters the chance to work and meet locally and avoid the stress and cost of the peak-time journey to work. Accommodation and usage costs are kept low by a scheme where users can opt to either 'pay as you use' or by discounted prepaid usage options. 

With more than 58% of Business Start-ups home-based - and with a similar numberfailing to make it beyond the third year of operation - it is hoped that the agency supported collaborative working environment of a Smarter Working Centre (SWC) will improve business survivability prospects. The initiative forms part of the £1/2 million Hampshire County Council funded recession-response initiative.

Project Manager Tony Corbin added

"The SWC offers an alternative to the isolation of regular home-based working and the negative impacts of trying to run a business from home. Many workers don't even get the opportunity to work from home as their property is simply not big enough or not conducive to health and safety compliant, productive home-working. Now we have an affordable alternative, where space can be booked by the hour and there's no lease to sign or heat and light bills to pay. You only pay for the hours you use"

The eventual aim of the network is that in Hampshire,  'you will never be more than twenty minutes away from a Smarter Working Centre'.

As an extra incentive to try out the radical new, SWC way of working, Hampshire businesses are being encouraged to visit the website http://www.smarterworkingcentreshiow.org.uk/  where if they register as a member by 31st December, they will go into a draw to win £200 of SWC work-space use absolutely FREE. Indeed everyone wins, because those who become members by 31st December will also be able to get a FREE hour of workspace at the SWC of their choice.