Less than 48 hours after a major fire damaged their shared premises in a Bordon office building this week, two local entrepreneurs were fully operational from Haslemere Business Centre.
With much of their activity based on cloud computing and VoIP telephony, it was relatively easy for Bruce Wallace of HaslenetIT and Chris Goble of Cycleworks to relocate to available desks in the centre.
The fire, on Tuesday afternoon, gutted the roof and upper floor of the Bordon building, part of the Highview Business Estate. The ground floor where Bruce and Chris had their office, was also badly damaged – mostly by smoke and water.
Bruce says: “We were able to salvage a few items, but it will be quite a while before the building can be re-occupied. We will be able to work virtually ‘as normal’ while we’re in the Business Centre, which has an excellent broadband connection.”
And he should know: as a Committee member of the Haslemere & District Chamber of Trade & Commerce, Bruce arranged and installed the high speed internet access at the Business Centre.
The Business Centre is a Chamber initiative and the brainchild of Past President Craig McGowan. It opened earlier this year to provide shared working space for small businesses – part of the Chamber’s campaign to facilitate business development in Haslemere.
Current President David Goddin says: “I am glad that we have been able to help Bruce and Chris at short notice – it is a fine example of the Chamber providing a real service in the community.”
The Business Centre, just off Haslemere High Street is now approaching full occupancy, but some space is still available. For £250 a month, tenants get a screened workstation, chair and filing cabinet – plus high speed internet access by wi-fi or wired connection. They also get free Chamber membership.