A NEW tenant has moved into Stratford District Council’s headquarters.
Citizens Advice South Warwickshire has moved into Elizabeth House, allowing them to see more clients and reduce appointment waiting times.
Julie Robinson, chief officer at Citizens Advice South Warwickshire said: “I am delighted to work with Stratford District Council to enable our clients to get the advice they need, when they need it, right in the heart of Stratford town centre.
“Closing our Meer Street office premises has created opportunities for us to work closely with our partners in the town, and we have been really pleased with the space available, and the commitment demonstrated by the district council, who are one of our valued funders.
“Citizens Advice is first and foremost a charity, offering free, confidential and impartial advice to anyone who needs it. To do that effectively, especially in this time of crisis for many Stratford residents, we need to be accessible, and open across the week. This partnership enables us to do just that.”
Staff from Citizens Advice South Warwickshire, together with a team of volunteers, are on hand each weekday, Monday to Friday at Elizabeth House from 10am to 2pm.
CAB advisers can meet clients face-to-face in the dedicated booths in the main reception area as well as the option of private meeting rooms.
SDC customer services spokeswoman Coun Liz Coles said: “With the current cost-of-living crisis this is a much-needed addition to the services available from our headquarters.
“Historically, clients who visit the district council would be directed to seek further assistance from Citizens Advice South Warwickshire located in another part of town, so it’s beneficial to those clients to have this advice service readily available to them in the same place. I would like to thank Coun Kate Rolfe for her help in organising this.”
In addition, a new Citizens Advice County telephone line, funded in part by Warwickshire County Council, launched in April and offers the opportunity for clients to receive telephone advice for any issue they may face.
Delivered in partnership with Bedworth Rugby and Nuneaton Citizens Advice and North Warwickshire Citizens Advice, it offers advice across the whole of Warwickshire every day 9am to 5pm on 0808 250 5715 or on Mondays between 5pm and 7pm call 0800 995 6047.
