Click here to view the wireless hotspots in this area

www.havant.gov.uk

The area of Havant Borough Council comprises both urban and semi-urban areas - such as Havant, Waterlooville, Emsworth, Cowplain, Purbrook and Hayling Island. Its business economy is a mix of traditional and high-tech manufacturing companies and a rich and diverse range of smaller businesses in many sectors - around 2,400 in total. Data shows that the area has a strong track record on business and enterprise performance - a comparatively high rate of business start-ups and long-term survival rates for new businesses.

Havant Borough Council recognises the need to foster a more dynamic enterprise culture - whereby more micro-businesses and SMEs use the internet to increase their sales and reduce their costs. Access to the internet is no longer the issue as broadly speaking it is available to businesses if they want it.

The future challenge is for businesses to developing their awareness and use of e-commerce software to unlock real value. Businesses using or planning to use e-commerce for purchasing, marketing, selling and communicating with their suppliers and customers stand a better chance of survival, growth and market share.

The borough area has two enterprise centres offering low-cost, 'easy-in, easy out' tenancy agreements to businesses - Brambles Business Centre in Waterlooville and Broadmarsh Business and Innovation Centre in Havant. The latter centre offers high performance internet connections to its tenant businesses. The centre is also a base location for Solent Technology Hub - a dynamic business support organisation for high-tech entrepreneurs and businesses in the South East Hampshire area.

Havant Online is a successful internet-in-the-community programme designed and implemented by Havant Borough Council to increase local peoples' awareness and skills in ICT - particularly those without a computer and internet access at home. There are 72 computers across 10 centres in the borough area where residents can access the internet free of charge.