Charity to open its first ever shop in city centre

A charity is looking to open its first ever shop in Stoke-on-Trent, its bosses have confirmed.

Citizens Advice Staffordshire North and Stoke-on-Trent could open a store in Hanley later this year, its chief executive Craig Browne said.

It came after the organisation announced it would be moving out of its office in Hanley after more than 30 years, as well as its other two sites nearby.

Mr Browne said the charity shop would be a first for the organisation and there were also plans for a store in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

"We are currently looking for available premises. It will be the first time this charity has had such an enterprise," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

Staff at the shops would be available to offer advice to visitors and the organisation was also looking at a voucher scheme for vulnerable residents.

He said the national Citizens Advice organisation currently only had three shops in the UK - in the Isle of Wight, Clacton in Essex and Ashton-under-Lyme, Greater Manchester.

Meanwhile, Mr Browne said the charity would be moving out of its three offices at Advice House in Hanley; Canal Arm at Festival Park; and Brindley Court, Newcastle-under-Lyme, later this year.

Staff would move to a new premises near Central Forest Park in Stoke-on-Trent and Mr Browne said it was hoped the relocation would be completed by the end of September.

Of the move out of the Hanley office, he said: "It hasn't been easy, because clearly there is a strong emotional attachment to Advice House.

"Realistically, the building is no longer fit for purpose. It's very dated and it provides a poor working environment for staff."

He said the charity, which helps people with financial, housing and employment issues among others, would benefit from having all of its services under one roof, providing a "one-stop-shop" for clients.

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