Executive Councillors joined representatives from Jobcentre Plus and GF Tomlinson to officially open the new Customer Hub at Loxley House, putting a host of services in one location to better support citizens.
Nottingham Revenues and Benefits service, which provides support for Housing Benefit and Council Tax services, and Housing Aid, have moved in to the new redeveloped ground floor area to join Jobcentre Plus and Nottingham Futures. The new area will provide a one stop shop for citizens rather than sites dotted round the city centre, creating One Public Estate with colleagues at Jobcentre Plus.
The new Customer Hub includes a new entrance from Trent Street, next to the taxi ranks for optimal accessibility, allowing quick access to services. Once inside, customers are directed to relevant services in a newly designed services areas, a new waiting area, a family friendly space and with free to use PCs available.
The relocation of these services upgrades the support offered to citizens and their families and supports the long term plans for the redevelopment of Angel Row into Grade A office space once the new Central Library opens at the Broadmarsh Car Park from 2021, and allow the redevelopment of the Housing Aid site into new residential properties.
Councillor Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Energy, Environment and Democratic Services, said: “I’m delighted to welcome our Revenues and Benefits and Housing Aid colleagues into a bespoke new space for citizens, designed to make their lives easier by bringing essential council services under one roof.
“Instead of having to visit two or three sites, this will become a one stop shop where real wrap around support can be provided to the people of Nottingham.
“A key council pledge is to provide convenient integrated services and this location is near our excellent public transport in a supportive environment. The relocation of these services also allows us to press on with other key commitments, such as a new Central Library including the best children’s library in the country, more housing in the city centre and saves money by keeping services in one place rather than running from three separate sites.”
Andy Sewards, managing director of G F Tomlinson said: “The refurbishment works at Loxley House bring together key council services under one roof in a modern and accessible environment. The benefits this brings to the public, staff and the city as a whole were recognised by Nottingham City Council and we are pleased to have supported them in achieving one of their key council pledges.
“We enjoy a long-standing relationship with the Council and this is one of a number of recent projects we have delivered through the Scape Regional Construction framework which contributes to the redevelopment of the Southside and Broadmarsh areas, as the city undergoes many exciting changes.”
