PURBECK residents will now benefit from a bigger and better Citizens Advice centre.

Veteran actor Edward Fox OBE cut the ribbon at the charity’s newly-renovated premises in Mill Lane, Wareham.

Michael Tomlinson, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole also attended the grand opening, as well as the Mayor of Wareham, Cllr Doreen Cleaton, and Citizens Advice trustees, staff and volunteers.

Helen Goldsack, manager of Purbeck Citizens Advice, said having more space means the charity can now help more local people.

“It’s much better for everyone. We’ve really increased the number of clients we’re seeing, and we now have 40 volunteers, whereas we used to have around 20. We also have three new staff members.

“We’ve been in our Mill Lane premises since 1998. We used to occupy the ground floor only, which was very small, cramped and old-fashioned, but we now have the ground floor and upper floor.

“Our facilities have increased so we now have three interview rooms and two public use areas where people can use self-help computers and the telephone.”

Helen said the refurbishment was made possible through a legacy left to Citizens Advice and a grant from the Coastal Revival Fund.

The charity helped over 2,000 clients in Purbeck last year, dealing with around 5,000 issues.

Volunteers and paid project workers offer free, confidential advice and information on a wide range of issues including benefits, debt, housing, employment, energy saving, and consumer issues.

Purbeck Citizens Advice began as an outreach of Poole Citizens Advice, running a service from Wareham Library and Swanage Town Hall. As the need for a Purbeck-based service increased, premises were found in Mill Lane. By 1999, the charity became independent.

Cllr Cleaton said: “The building is now more suitable for housing the Purbeck Citizens Advice Bureau.

“It was vitally needed and provides much better accommodation for both the centre and the Wareham Town Band.

“The town council are pleased the renovation is helping both of our clients, and we thank Edward Fox for attending the opening. His presence gave importance to the event.”