Southern Learning Hub launches new cybercafe and meeting facilities

Local business people can now benefit from a new corporate cybercaf as well as a range of new state of the art conference and meeting facilities which have just been launched by the Southern Learning Hub.

The business suites, at the Hubís prestigious new headquarters in Fareham, represent another notable victory for the Hub which is one of the fastest growing companies in the area.

The Hub, which delivers learndirect and other vocational e-learning courses to thousands of residents and businesses across the region, has relocated to Furze Court, Wickham Road, where the whole ground floor has been set aside for the new facilities.

Because of the officesí close proximity to the M27, the cybercaf as an ideal meeting venue for business people and comes fully equipped with vending machines, computers and stylish furniture. The cybercaf will be run on a membership scheme.

The extensive new facilities comprise nine conference and meeting rooms, some equipped with computers that can be hired by the day or half-day. To mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, the new facilities have all been named after personalities and places associated with the battle.

The rooms range from the Cadiz Suite, an executive board room seating 14 delegates to the Nelson and Hardy Suites that can each accommodate 40 people, or can be combined to form one large conference room. All of the rooms are decorated to a high standard with the dcor and furniture reflecting the maritime theme.

The new facilities were officially launched on Thursday (6th October) by Sue Swan, Director of the Workforce Development Learning and Skills Council.

Denise Candy, the Chief Executive of the Hub explained: ìThe concept of the cybercaf came about when we thought about the needs of salespeople who are constantly on the road. When they have meetings, it is usually in motorway service stations, which are not the best of surroundings.

ìAs we are just off the M27, the cybercaf and meeting rooms offer business people a fantastic place to meet, work and relax. We have all the facilities they need ñ vending machines, the technology and there are also plenty of parking spaces.î

She added: ìThere is also a demand in this particular area for cost-effective meeting and conferencing facilities which can be hired at very competitive rates and we think what we are offering here will go a long way to satisfying this requirement.î

Denise said that when she was drawing up plans for the Hubís new offices, the facilities were factored in at a very early stage. ìWe were looking at new ways of generating income and we decided the whole of the ground floor should be made available for hire.î

The Hub, previously based at Cams Hall, employs 42 people and is one of the fastest growing companies in Fareham, growing an annual turnover of 7 million in just four years.

Founded by Denise Candy, it provides courses across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Jersey and Guernsey and Berkshire. It now delivers courses such as City and Guilds qualifications, iTQ (information technology qualification) and the ILM (Institute of Leadership Management) range straight to employees in their workplaces.

The company is a subsidiary of Hampshire and Solent Learning Hub, who works with more than 50 learning centres across the region, including colleges and community centres.