Citizens Advice Bury opens town centre branch less than 2 years after old base closed

A vital charity providing advice in Bury has opened a new premises in the town centre.

Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton (CABB), which offers free and independent information about issues such as debt, benefits and immigration, has opened a new office on Market Place, more than after the closure of its former Bury branch.

The not-for-profit organisation, which also has a branch on Victoria Street, Bolton, is now offering face-to-face drop-in sessions every Tuesday in addition to its existing online and telephone services.

The new town centre branch replaces the former home of Citizens Advice, which closed in December 2021.

Chief Executive Office of Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton Gary Malcomson said the new branch has already been very busy with many people looking for financial advice, especially about debt.

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He said: “We’re really pleased that we have resolved the premises challenges we have had over the last 15 months.

“Although we have continued to deliver a number of services across Bury, we’ve not been able to deliver services to the level we’ve wanted.

“The cost-of-living crisis continues to put significant pressures on our local communities. If you are worried about the rising costs and are struggling to pay your bills or have any other worries – Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton are here to help.

“With the cost-of-living crisis, along with the housing crisis and other socio-economic issues people in across both Bury and Bolton, CABB’s services have never been more needed, or more stretched.

“Like many services, we are also feeling the impact of rising costs and a number of our funders are reducing their funding to us.”

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Gary added that the service had Supported nearly 3,000 individuals, with almost 17,000 issues in Bury between April 2022 and March this year.

CABB has also helped write off over £700,000 in debt and has helped clients to generate approximately £3m in income.

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Citizens Advice Bury is now located at 1st Floor, Castle Buildings, 5-10 Market Place, Bury BL9 0LD.

Weekly open door drop-ins began on Tuesday, May 9 and will be every Tuesday from 10am to 3pm. No appointment necessary.

In addition to drop-in, the service can be contacted via:

• Freephone advice line service 0808 278 7804 (from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm).

• Remote video drop-in sessions via www.cabb.org.uk every Wednesday from 1pm to 3.30pm.

• Completion of referral form on www.cabb.org.uk (accepts self-referral, or agency referrals).

• Pre-booked appointments (pending eligibility criteria).