18 June 2010
Lyndhurst Smarter Working Centre Open For Business

The first local community group operated Smarter Working Centre is now open in Lyndhurst offering entrepreneurs, business start-ups, home-based businesses and commuters low-cost accommodation and the chance to work and meet locally and avoid the stress and cost of the peak-time journey to work.

Hampshire County Council provided match funding of £9,000 to help establish the Lyndhurst Smarter Working Centre, which was officially opened by Tristan Pascoe of BBC Radio Solent on Friday 11 June.

The Lyndhurst Smarter Working Centre is operated by Lyndhurst and District Community Association. It is located at the community centre and library building, for which the association secured lottery funding to completely renew. The redesign includes the Smarter Working accommodation of up to four work spaces and shared meeting/training space that can be booked on-line, by phone or by dropping into the centre.

Lyndhurst and District Community Association have committed to investing in business level broadband and wireless connectivity for the centre and they will also provide meet and greet services for people using the Smarter Working Centre via the building’s reception staff.

How does Smarter Working work?

Accommodation and usage costs are kept low at Smarter Working Centres by offering users the option of 'pay as you use' or discounted prepaid allocated work or meeting-space options. Depending upon the membership package chosen, work-space can work out at as little as £3 per hour or £10 per day. This can reduce even further if organisations are willing to pre-book longer periods. 

Smarter Working Centre members also benefit from access to support, training and advice from expert organisations such as Job Centre Plus, Enterprise First, Hampshire Chamber and Business Link skills and business advisers. The centres also feature especially created free to access on-line business start up and job-search information resources for budding-entrepreneurs and recently redundant professionals and executives. 

Businesses interested in using a smarter working centre can find out more at the website http://www.smarterworkingcentreshiow.org.uk . The site provides an easy introduction for those new to the concept of Smarter Working Centres and offers real-time space availability checking, on-line booking and secure on-line payment.

Councillor Ken Thornber, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: “Smarter Working Centres offer a more flexible approach for those who need occasional access to office or meeting space and are an affordable alternative to working from home or taking a long term rental. They are great too for entrepreneurs to meet and exchange ideas and for businesses to work collaboratively. The Lyndhurst Smarter Working Centre is right at the heart of the town and I congratulate the Lyndhurst & District Community Association for helping to establish such an impressive and flexible facility.” 

The Smarter Working Centre in Lyndhurst is the latest in the network with centres now open in Aldershot, Basingstoke, Fareham, Fordingbridge, Gosport and Havant.

Supporting Hampshire's economy

Smarter Working Centres are one of four recession-busting initiatives the County Council has introduced. The projects were created following discussions by the Hampshire Senate to try to identify action that could be taken by local authorities to help businesses in the economic downturn.

The other measures the County Council has put in place includes a retail support package, which aims to help local retailers improve their online presence, encourage consumers into the town centres and provide new skills to redundant shop workers. There are also grants available to enable the voluntary and community sector to offer work experience and volunteering places, helping people to gain new skills and grants to encourage businesses to take on apprentices.

For more information on what Hampshire County Council does for business visit www.hants.gov.uk/business or for futher information on Smarter Working Centres visit www.smarterworkingcentreshiow.org.uk.