17 Mar NEW HOME FOR CITIZENS ADVICE IN PENZANCE

Citizens Advice is moving to new office premises in Penzance after the charity was given notice to move from its Cornwall Council-owned building in Alverton Street.

The organisation will soon move its operations to St John’s Hall, which is also owned by the council, after urgent negotiations led by local county councillors, Jim McKenna and Tim Dwelly, for a more affordable rent.

Citizens Advice Cornwall Chief Executive, Gill Pipkin, said:

“We are extremely grateful to our local councillors who managed to help us come to an agreement with the council within our limited budget.

“Our new office in St John’s will be a hub for our advisers and admin staff while we continue to look for suitable community locations to hold advice sessions.

“This will mean we can offer advice to more people at convenient places around the Penwith area.”

Cllr McKenna said:

“It was a pleasure to be able to help Citizens Advice in their discussions with Cornwall Council about their relocation plans. St John’s Hall is ideally located, with access to parking and a regular bus service and their chosen offices have recently been refurbished. Citizens Advice has seen a significant increase in demand in the last couple of years and provides a vital service to communities stretching from St Just to St Ives and Helston, and managing to retain in Penzance is great news for those needing its help.”

Cllr Tim Dwelly said: “It’s really important Citizens Advice keeps its services face-to-face in Penzance. It’s also important that they are not charged too high a rent, so they can spend more on helping people. If there is a town centre hub opened in Penzance, Citizens Advice would be welcomed to become part of that.”

Details of new outreach and advice locations will be announced soon.

Ends.