A FREE work area for businesses to operate from will open in Bordon at the end of the month.

Around 20 small-business owners from a variety of sectors - including web design, marketing, business development, recruitment, osteopathy and crafts - have shown an interest by helping to paint wooden chairs with designs that reflected their brand, style or values.

Signal is based in the newly refurbished Martinique House, in Hampshire Road, and will, according to co-ordinators, be the only free co-working space in the area when it officially opens on February 27.

Creating a welcoming workspace for entrepreneurs with no fee to pay was the brainchild of Emma Selby who believes it is “simply the right thing to do”.

“Co-working spaces are invaluable for small-business owners who want to be inspired, collaborate locally and beat the loneliness of being stuck at home - but the cost can sometimes be prohibitive,” she said. “We want to reach out to start-ups and help them to grow fast by giving them access to local experts and experienced business owners at a cost we know they can afford - because it’s free.”

Sophie Handa, who owns a handmade lampshade company based at her home in Lower Froyle, said: “I love the idea that I have put my stamp on the chair and it might be someone’s favourite chair to sit on,” she said.

“Last year (2017) was a great year for my business, Funky Olive, but I’m looking forward to collaborating with others at Signal to grow my business further in 2018.”

Communications consultant Ursula Errington added: “Business owners have been chatting while they paint their chairs and I can hear a few starting to exchange ideas and plans for business projects already. I think that’s exactly what this place is all about - local support and collaboration.”

The chairs are now being displayed in the co-working space, alongside information about the artist and their company. Each chair has an engraved plate on the back with the artist’s business details to encourage networking.