THE main advice service is moving from its Cross and Pillory Lane offices, which closed to the public on Monday, to more modern and accessible shop premises beneath the Town Hall.

Owned by Alton Town Council, the ground floor premises at Unit 7 on Market Square will be open for business from Monday, December 11.

Since the former ‘Chill’ shop is smaller than the Cross and Pillory Lane facility, accountant Mascolo Styles is providing back-office space at its premises in nearby Amery Street.

In responding to concerns over the reduction in space and the suitability of location, Helen Drake, chief executive of Citizens Advice East Hampshire, said: “Many Citizens Advice offices operate from similar shop premises and we are fortunate to have the back up support from an office space with Mascolo Styles in Alton.

“Lots of research has been done into what people seeking advice actually need and expect, and the conclusion is that most want confidentiality of information but not necessarily privacy.

“Some Citizens Advice services operate from large, open-plan spaces such as Salisbury Citizens Advice, which shares space at the town’s leisure centre with other partners, and gives advice in an open-plan cafe area used by everyone.

“The slightly old-fashioned view of advice operating behind closed doors is not always what the public wants these days. However, we will of course ensure that should clients need to have a private space to explain their issues, we will, as far as possible within the resources available, try to provide it.”

Ms Drake added that a level of privacy will be provided by frosting on the windows, similar to the Alton Foodbank which occupies the opposite end of the building and “has not found a real issue with privacy”.

The Alton move coincides with a similar move in Petersfield where Citizens Advice is moving out of its current premises on Heath Road today (Thursday) and relocating to the top floor of Petersfield library, off The Square. It will reopen on December 11.

During the closure, people can visit the Bordon Citizens Advice office based at the Forest Community Centre, on Pinehill Road, which will remain open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9.30am-2pm. Help is also available via the advice line on 03444 111 444 or via citizensadvice.org.uk.

Ms Drake said: “We are delighted, after looking for suitable offices for some years, to be finally able to deliver our high-quality advice service from modern, accessible premises in centre-of-town locations in Alton and Petersfield.

“Our fantastic volunteers help nearly 6,000 residents each year and these moves will enable us to meet modern-day needs and expectations for advice in East Hampshire.

“We thank new landlords Hampshire County Council Library Services, Andy Styles from Mascolo Styles and Alton Town Council who have helped make them possible.”