A new North Devon Council customer service hub has opened its doors in Barnstaple.
The Town Centre Hub in Green Lanes Shopping Centre opened on Monday 16 June, bringing with it an expanded face-to-face customer service offering for Barnstaple's residents and visitors.
A short ribbon cutting ceremony took place to mark the opening of the hub, with council Chair, Councillor Helen Walker and Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Leaver joining those who have worked on the project to cut the ribbon.
The hub replaces Lynton House as the council's customer service centre in Barnstaple and is open Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm.
New working spaces enable staff from various council services to assist customers where needed. An interview room is available for private consultations with council staff for customers wishing to discuss more sensitive topics, and there are seating booths, two consultation rooms and a meeting room which can be booked by outside agencies.
The council worked with RGP Architects to devise the hub's layout and works were completed by Grills Renovations and Refurbishments. The unit in Green Lanes has been transformed after remaining unoccupied since the council purchased the shopping centre in 2021, despite being actively marketed.
Devon and Cornwall Police will also have a regular presence at the hub, allowing town centre visitors the chance to speak with officers from Barnstaple's Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Councillor Peter Leaver, Deputy Leader of North Devon Council, said: "We are delighted to be able to welcome residents and visitors alike to our new Barnstaple Town Centre Hub and I would like to thank RGP Architects and Grills Renovations and Refurbishments for helping us to revitalise a long vacant unit. The hub gives us a more visible presence in the heart of the town and our expanded opening hours make it even easier for residents and customers to get help and assistance, especially for those who are not able, or not so confident in using our phone and online services.
Councillor Helen Walker, Chair of North Devon Council, said: "We want the hub to be a space where people can access advice from a range of partners and are so pleased to be able to share the space with the police from the outset. We have a range of rooms that can be booked for different requirements, so I would urge organisations and agencies to get in touch or come and visit us to find out more."
Infrastructure costs for the hub have been funded with £220,000 from the council's Transformation Reserve.
More information about the hub can be found on the council's website. Those wishing to enquire about room bookings can do so by emailing towncentre.hub@northdevon.gov.uk for more information.