The opening date for the new Bath One Stop Shop that will contain a wide range of help and advice from Bath & North East Somerset Council has been confirmed.
The other public and voluntary sector organisations that will also be located at the facility have also been announced.
From Monday 21st May 2012, people will be able to access a variety of face to face, phone, and online services from a bright, modern and welcoming environment.
Councillor David Bellotti (Lib-Dem, Lyncombe), Cabinet Member for Community Resources, said, “The redevelopment of our Manvers Street building is now underway and Bath & North East Somerset Council is looking forward to setting a new high standard for customer service with our partners from May 2012.
“We are looking forward to welcoming a wide range of organisations to the Bath One Stop Shop. Face-to-face contact between our residents and the organisations that they need to access information and advice from should be as straightforward as possible in a pleasant, modern environment. This is exactly what our new Manvers Street facility will achieve.”
At the One Stop Shop will be Council services that people currently access from a variety of different offices, including Council Connect at The Guildhall. There will be services from other public and voluntary organisations including Age UK, Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Service Volunteers, Connexions, Dorothy House, HM Revenue & Customs and Somer Housing.
Council Connect customer services staff will be on hand to help customers access the services directly available in the One stop shop. As well as providing advice about other organisations and partner services who will be providing online information and using the space occasionally.
The Bath One Stop Shop will consist of meeting areas, a Shopmobility Service, and self-service facilities for people to access information and make payments. For the convenience of customers of the One Stop Shop there will be a café, toilets and a small children’s play area. Full details are available at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/onestopshop.
The work at Manvers Street is one of three revamps of the Council’s One Stops Shops with improvements nearly complete at The Hollies, Midsomer Norton and a new facility is planned as part of the Keynsham town centre regeneration project.
The plans are all part of the Council’s ‘Workplaces Programme’ to use office space more efficiently and provide the best possible services for local people – £1 million has already been saved by closing other offices including Plymouth House and Trimbridge House and relocating services to other existing locations.