Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood, has officially opened a brand-new Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Belle Vale.
Local affordable housing developer Lovell helped convert the former One Stop Shop into the new advice centre.
A construction team from the company created a new office area where advisers can speak with clients, by installing a curving partition wall and carrying out redecoration work. The project was carried out for free by Lovell – which is currently building a new housing scheme for residents aged 55 and over nearby for social housing provider Riverside – as part of its commitment to supporting local community organisations.
Ms Eagle was also shown round the new housing development during her visit.
Citizens Advice Bureau manager Heather Brent said: “This support from Lovell means a tremendous amount to us and the local community who will be using the new facilities. Thanks to their help in carrying out the construction work to create the new office space, we will be opening the building far sooner than we imagined.
“Following the closure of the building as the former One Stop Shop it seemed a great shame to let the building go to waste. This project has been a real collaboration between the different agencies for the benefit of the local community and was only possible thanks to the help of Janet Kent, our local councillor, and Christina Williams, team leader – South Neighbourhoods, who worked with Liverpool City Council to secure the building for use as a Citizens Advice Bureau.”
Belle Vale ward councillor, Janet Kent, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see this fantastic new Citizens Advice Bureau opening its doors. It will bring massive benefits to local people, ensuring they have access to advice and support when they need it.
“This new facility is an important investment in Belle Vale, by a number of partners. It’s a great example to what we can achieve in our communities when we work together.”
Lovell is building the new Joseph Williams Mews development in Childwall Valley Road, Belle Vale, for social housing provider Riverside. The housing scheme, set to be completed in December 2014, will create a range of purpose-built, high-quality accommodation for older residents including 56 apartments for rent and 12 apartments and two bungalows for low-cost home ownership. The new housing is being built around a communal area where there will be a community café, shared gardens and parking areas.
Lovell regional director Nigel Yates said: “The CAB provides an invaluable information and advice service. As a company, we aim to provide a lasting legacy of benefits for communities wherever we work and were only too pleased to step in and enable this important community facility to open in Belle Vale.”
Belle Vale CAB is now looking to recruit new volunteers. Anyone interested in joining the team should call 0151 522 1407.
Image 1: Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood, officially opens Belle Vale’s brand new Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). Left to right: Citizens Advice Bureau manager Heather Brent; Lovell senior site manager Ryan Jones and MP Maria Eagle.
Image 2: Maria Eagle MP visiting the new Joseph Williams Mews development in Belle Vale.
