From 3 December 2013, The Community Housing Group and The Worcestershire Hub Customer Service Centre will no longer be offering services from the Riverside Housing Office, High Street, Stourport.

David Hanman, Head of Community Services, The Community Housing Group explained: “We have seen a dramatic fall in the number of visitors to the office as customers choose to use alternative ways to access our services including the freephone telephone hotline, website and mobile phone sites. As a not for profit organisation, we need to make the best possible use of our resources to invest in homes and services.  It has been a difficult decision, but we have decided not to renew the lease on the office building at the end of November 2013.”

The Group will also end the housing service delivered from the Hub in Kidderminster from 29 November 2013 in order to amalgamate the teams.  From 3 December 2013, they will provide services from Community House Stourport Road, Kidderminster.

“Customers who wish to see a member of the Housing team will be able to make an appointment at Community House or arrange for a home visit by calling the Freephone hotline number 0800 169 5454. We think this will be a much more efficient way of delivering services as it brings all of the key teams under one roof and makes it easier for our customers to speak to the right person for their enquiry, quickly and easily” said David Hanman.

The Homelessness Advice Service will continue to be delivered from the Kidderminster Hub.

Councillor Ian Hardiman, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing said: “We’ve been pleased to operate from the same location as The Community Housing Group over the last year or two but we understand the financial pressures that have led them to decide to close their office in Stourport. We will make an announcement in due course about new arrangements for Stourport.”