Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Phil North, alongside Mayor Mark Cooper and Steve Northam of IncuHive.
New flexible office space open for business
The ribbon has been cut to officially open up a brand new flexible working space in the heart of Andover.
Launched by IncuHive Group Limited, the space, on the fourth and fifth floor of Chantry House, has been given a completely new lease of life to offer office space in the heart of the town centre.
The project is supported by Test Valley Borough Council, which owns the building, together with funding from the M3 Local Enterprise Partnership. IncuHive, the organisation who has launched the project, will be managing the flexible office space.
Earlier this year, the council secured funding of more than £200k from the LEP to deliver the project with IncuHive. The facility, which is open for business, is aimed at small businesses including start-ups and individuals who have been working from home as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is expected to reduce the need for office workers to undertake long commutes by providing equally well-equipped and better located accommodation, avoiding the need to travel to major cities.
It is also hoped that the new facility will help boost the town’s economic recovery from the pandemic by driving up footfall in the High Street. It marks another step in the journey towards the future of Andover’s town centre, which will see more of a mix of work, living and leisure uses.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, councillor Phil North, said: “I was really pleased to see the quality of the facilities that have been delivered here right in the centre of our town. This will boost footfall, hopefully cut down on emissions and travel time for office workers, and give smaller businesses that precious space that they may need. It also gives an option for those still working from home away from their kitchen table.
“My thanks to the Local Enterprise Partnership for backing this project and we can all see the quality of what’s been delivered as a result. The project is very much in line with our plans for the wider redevelopment of the town centre, which will see a greater mix of work and leisure uses, alongside traditional retail. Along with the other projects that will come forward in the area, IncuHive will help us to create a vibrant, diverse and robust town centre that is fit for the future.
Rob Dunford, Director – Business Delivery for the LEP, added: “I’m delighted we have been able to support this pilot project as part of our Economic Recovery Plan and it was great to attend the ribbon cutting to see IncuHive’s new location for myself.
This is a fantastic demonstration of how a single project can deliver in numerous priority areas, from helping support net zero goals – reducing the need for long commutes to the city – to rejuvenating town centres by both utilising existing disused space and bringing new footfall to high streets. It’s also another excellent example of how our strong partnership with Test Valley Borough Council is delivering for businesses in Andover and Test Valley.”