Citizens Advice 'plea for help' over office eviction

A Citizens Advice service has said it is sending out a "plea for help" as it searches for a new office premises.

Hampshire County Council has terminated the lease for the Basingstoke branch, which currently operates out of the Discovery Centre in Festival Place.

Chair of the Basingstoke branch, Tony Curtis, told the BBC the potential eviction could leave the service "in the position of having no home".

A council spokesperson said a small number of offices within the centre had been let to the Citizens Advice Bureau while they were "surplus to the council's needs".

It explained the branch had been given notice in January and that the space was required for council staff.

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential and impartial advice to help people put food on the table, stay warm and with a roof over their heads.

Mr Curtis said: "I worry for our clients who rely on coming to see us for face to face interviews - we're not going to be accessible."

He said he also worried for his staff and volunteers, because the eviction "just feels so unnecessary".

"I think Hampshire County Council can resolve this problem by removing the notice and working with us on a longer term plan," he added.

Mr Curtis said the charity would try to minimise disruption to clients and was looking for local people and businesses who could help them remain in the town centre.

"We are sending out a 'plea for help' to continue our projects and services helping local people facing real hardship, particularly during these difficult economic times," he added.

The Hampshire County Council spokesperson said they were "keen to help minimise the impact on the bureau's work" and had offered assistance finding alternative premises.

They added: "These changes are necessary because we are relocating teams currently based at our Basingstoke office, Dame Mary Fagan House, to the Basingstoke Discovery Centre.

"This will enable the council to sell the office building, releasing significant annual revenue savings, which is good for public funds, and brings our teams closer to the centre of town.

"Changes like this enable us to work in a more cost-effective way, close to the communities we serve."

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