ADVICE provided by a national organisation in Thornbury has been improved with the re-opening of a centre in the town.

With the relocation of the police to Thornbury town hall, next to the base of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB), the opportunity was taken to improve the organisation’s facilities.

Funded by the police, the CAB’s headquarters in the town has been improved with interview rooms now being fully soundproofed and new furnishing being installed.

Whilst the police are yet to move into Thornbury Town Hall, the work to make room to accommodate the force meant that the CAB had to close for a month for work to be completed.

It was re-opened by the town’s mayor on Tuesday before he was given a tour of the new facilities.

CAB South Gloucestershire advice services manager, Chantal Watts, welcomed the changes that had been made.

She said: “Whilst there have been major physical changes to the building this hasn’t changed what we offered before.”

The CAB in Thornbury does not receive any funding from South Gloucestershire Council because the town is not considered a priority neighbourhood by the council.

Instead the organisation receives some funding through grants to cover costs by Thornbury Town Council and from fundraisers in the town to make up the £12,000 extra funding the centre requires per year.

Chantal added: “The situation with police moving in to the building has proven to be a real win-win situation for us.

“Whilst the police funded works to the physical structure the new furniture we have was paid for by The Swan pub.

“The pub has been one of our biggest supporters in the town and we are grateful for their help.”

Mayor of Thornbury Guy Rawlinson said that the CAB provided a 'valuable service' for residents.

"Despite not being a priority neighbourhood there are many people in the town who often need the valuable service the CAB provides because they can advise on almost anything or at least direct you to the right place."

The centre, at the rear of the town hall, opens between 10am and 1pm on every Tuesday and Thursday to provide advice on a wide variety of topics.

Walk-in members of the public are usually booked in for an appointment on the next working day but emergency appointments can be seen on the day.

For more information visit: southgloscab.org.uk