History 

Keen to support and encourage business in the area, New Forest District Council put forward a plan late in the 1980s to provide ‘easy in, easy out’ premises on short term licences.

The decision to proceed with the building project was hampered by a change in central government policy, which prevented the district council from financing the scheme directly. To overcome this setback the NFDC encouraged the formation of the New Forest Industrial Association Ltd. (now New Forest Enterprise centre Ltd) to raise the required finance and run the project on a near-commercial basis.

Planning commenced in 1989 and the design and build contract for a building with 52 units was awarded to R Mansell Ltd.

The building was handed over to NFIA on 31st August 1991, and the handing over ceremony was conducted by Michael Colvin MP on behalf of R Mansell Ltd. on 18th October 1991.

The official opening ceremony was conducted by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent on 7th May 1992.

The voluntary Board of the NFEC oversees policy, and the management of the Centre.