A SOUTHAMPTON accounting and business advisory firm have made a substantial investment to open the region's first ever collaborative working space.

Grant Thornton which has its offices in Dorset Stree, Southampton will invest more than £250,000 to open the collaborative working space at the University Of Southampton Science Park at Chilworth next month.

The new space will be the base for 65 clients facing staff .

The move the company says is part of its strategy to "bring people together to connect, collaborate and exchange ideas to promote activities that stimulate growth and create a vibrant economy".

Partner Norman Armstrong said: "The world of work is changing and my colleagues and I are delighted to be at the forefront of this change.”

He added: "We expect this creativity and collaboration to help shape the vibrant and thriving 21st-century economy across our region.

“Traditional office environments generally do not provide this, so we hope businesses will be able to make use of the space to think more creatively, make new connections, exchange ideas and access expert advice."

As part of the plans, the new offices can also be booked by entrepreneurs and businesses based in the Solent region who can use the space by exchanging ideas, accessing expert advice and collaborating together in a modern functional environment.

The space will include small meeting pods, a board room, informal meeting booths, work benches, print and conference facilities and innovation space for presentations.