A NEW job centre is set to open in Colchester town centre to meet increased demand caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has submitted a planning application to open a "short-term overflow facility" in Headgate Colchester.
The new office would host "rapid face to face meetings" between clients and job coaches in a bid to meet an upsurge in demand.
A report says: "This office will be a short-term overflow facility addressing the need for rapid expansion of the DWP estate to address the additional needs for more work coaches and unemployment support due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It’s aimed at a different clientele than that which normally attends Jobcentre Plus and will serve as a base for rapid face to face meetings between clients and job coaches attending clients by appointment only."
The DWP has asked for the application to be accelerated through the planning process.
Read more:
- Colchester man who 'preyed upon young girls' set to be jailed
- More overnight closures planned at Ipswich Road in Colchester
- Colchester Zoo looking for new staff to join team caring for animals
Minor changes are planned to the building, which is a set of empty offices.
Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here