Citizens Advice Peterborough to end drop-in service

The closure forms part of a wider package of changes that are to take place over the next 12 months which are designed to help the charity deal with shrinking budgets and a change in how people normally access information.

Citizens Advice Peterborough in St Mark’s Steet will be moving to a telephone based assessment and appointments service from April. The service will be available from 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

Clients can receive information on their problems and where necessary receive an appointment with a skilled adviser by calling 0344 499 4120.

The charity provides free information, advice and support to the city’s residents, with a speciality in avoiding homelessness. In 2019, Citizens Advice Peterborough supported 726 people who presented with homelessness issues.

Coupled with this, there has been an 18 per cent rise in the number of people accessing services via the telephone, website and social media. The charity is now adapting its services to address all these issues.

Keith Jones, chief executive at Citizens Advice Peterborough, said: “We will continue to give people within Peterborough the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are and whatever their problem.

“Instead of coming into the office they will need to head to our website, telephone or social media where they will be able to find information and support to help them make the best choices for themselves.”

Cllr Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities at Peterborough City Council, said: “Citizens Advice Peterborough provides a valuable service for residents and we hope that the new way of accessing support will make it easier for people to get help and advice.

“We know that not everyone has access to a computer or knows how to use the internet. For those people they can use computers at any of the 10 libraries across the city where staff will be able to assist customers to get online if needed. In addition, Vivacity runs regular computer courses.”