Enterprise hub redevelopment scheme nears launch

A new business enterprise centre on the site of a former officers’ mess is opening its doors next month (November) in east Hampshire.Finishing touches are being put to BASE Bordon Innovation Centre following an 18-month refurbishment project undertaken by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).The centre is at the former Edwardian army officers’ mess at Broxhead House, Louisburg Barracks, Whitehill & Bordon. The redeveloped workspace is geared to entrepreneurs getting their commercial ideas off the ground, as well as small-to-medium sized enterprises and high-growth businesses.There are 31 offices, along with co-working space, meeting rooms for hire, virtual offices and fast and reliable broadband. There is also a business lounge area for customers and visitors.Owned by the HCA, the Innovation Centre has been funded by a £4m Local Growth Fund investment from Enterprise M3 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).Oxford Innovation, which runs 24 innovation centres across the country, including three others in south Hampshire, has been appointed operator.The former military base at Bordon, upon which BASE stands, is being regenerated in a £50m mixed scheme, including hundreds of homes around BASE.BASE is located within the government-backed EZ” Enterprise Zone and offers a range of benefits for eligible businesses.Louisburg Barracks, originally built at the turn of the 20th century to house Field Artillery regiments, was vacated by the Ministry of Defence, with the majority of site being developed for residential housing.