THE Citizens Advice Bureau is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year and the Evesham branch is marking the milestone by moving to new premises.

The new offices at 116 High Street are just a few doors down from the organisation's current base. The building has been converted and refurbished to exact specifications. New facilities include a new computer network, a sophisticated new telephone system and more interview rooms.

Ruth Davies has managed the organisation's Evesham branch for ten years. She said: "We see the move as an exciting opportunity to develop our service to the community. We work hard to provide a professional service. Hopefully the new building will reflect that."

The bureau offers advice and help on a broad range of issues. Ms Davies added: "There is still the perception that we are consumer orientated but people's lives are much more complex these days."

Most staff work on a voluntary basis but all employees undergo extensive training. The organisation's advice covers a broad spectrum including welfare benefits, debt, unemployment, relationship and family problems as well as legal issues and housing problems. Employees have access to a database providing information on an extensive range of subjects. The service is updated on a monthly basis, which means the advice on offer is always up to date.

Ms Davies said: "We do not tell people what to do. We give them the best information we can to help them make a good decision. It is their choice."

The organisation views the move to new offices as one part of a three-year process. The project was funded through grants from the district council as well as money from the county council, town council and parish councils. However, Ms Davies said: "Although our funding has increased it is never enough. All voluntary services are clinging to the same pot of limited money."

The bureau is planning further changes to the building, including disabled access for its visitors. Ms Davies said: "We do go out and visit people but they should always be able to come to us if they want to."

The increased number of interview rooms will allow staff to deal with cases at a faster rate. The new phone system will also mean staff can deal with more phone inquiries. The new computer network will give the organisation access to e-government. The bureau is also hoping to provide free Internet access to visitors soon.

Ms Davies said: "The new facilities will allow us to give advice more quickly. Hopefully people will not have to wait as long to see someone but we will still be able to maintain the quality of advice we offer.

"We are also looking at working with other organisations to try and prevent some types of problems before they occur. We would like to develop a financial literacy scheme to increase public understanding of credit and debt issues."

The bureau will begin operating from its new premises on 116 High Street from next Tuesday.

From then the centre will resume its normal opening times of 10am to 3.30pm on weekdays, excluding Wednesdays. The offices are open from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays. To contact the centre call 01386 443737.