Oldham Council has today opened two new customer service sites in the heart of the town centre, as it aims to make it easier for residents to access the services they need.
The new Customer Service Centre, Working for You @ Spindles, was officially opened by Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture, Cllr Peter Dean.
These new sites reflect the Council’s wider aims to put residents first by locating support hubs within communities so that residents can access services such as Citizens Advice and TOG Mind closer to their doorsteps.
With support already available at Failsworth Town Hall, NEON, and Chadderton Wellbeing Centre, the next phase of development will see support services move into Royton Town Hall over the coming months.
Opening the new customer service centre is a significant step to continue bringing even more footfall directly to the town centre. The new-look Spindles is already seeing 1,000 extra visitors every day.
Speaking about the development of the new customer service offering, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture, Cllr Peter Dean, said:
“We put our residents at the heart of everything we do and we’re proud to be putting investment into our customer support services so that our residents can get the support they need, face to face, in convenient locations across our borough.
“This project has formed part of a unique opportunity for us to develop a new space that supports the current and future needs of our residents and businesses here at the Spindles.”
Housing Options has also opened in its new temporary home next to Rochdale Road reception at the Civic Centre.
The moves are part of Oldham Council's transformation of Oldham town centre. This includes building up to 2,000 new homes and a new school, Eton Star Oldham, built on what is the current Tommyfield outdoor market site, bringing the very best education opportunities right to the heart of the town centre. The Egyptian Rooms will host a new food hall, and the Spindles will also have a new market, event space, and archive centre.
Council staff have also moved to offices within Spindles, which is a more energy efficient and greener location, saving money and benefiting the environment, as the Civic Centre, being over 40 years old, is expensive to run and less energy efficient. It also means the Civic Centre can be redeveloped, as part of our plans to transform the town centre, including creating 2,000 much needed new homes.
The new Customer Service Centre is situated on the ground floor of Spindles, next to TfGM and opposite Rhode Island coffee shop. Normal opening times 9am—5pm remain the same at both sites.
To find out more or for help and advice, please visit oldham.gov.uk/customerservicecentre