Llanelli’s customer service centre is offering more services than ever before with hundreds of people coming through the doors every week helping to drive town centre footfall.

The Hwb in Vaughan Street deals with around 3,000 appointments every month on issues ranging from housing benefit and council tax claims to licensing and Blue Badges.

Some planning information is also handled at the centre.

Some 3,500 payments are taken over the cash desk per month and around 400 people use the cash machine to pay things like council tax or rent.

A number of successful projects are being delivered from the centre including Learn Direct which offer a wide range of courses and qualifications for those wishing to improve their skills.

Workways + and Communities for Work offer support around employment and training including courses required to obtain relevant skills and qualifications to move into work.

Digital facilities and printing are available for those wishing to look for work or accessing on-line council services.

One customer said that her life has been turned around after visiting the Hwb.

Rebecca (not her real name) said: “When I first went to the Hwb I was at the stage of feeling beyond help and was a total mess – I didn’t have a job and was suffering from a number of ailments including depression and anxiety. I also had a number of previous criminal convictions and didn’t think anyone would want me to work for them. The staff listened to me, guided me through the different stages, gave me suitable training and then linked up with a number of voluntary organisations which I now work for. I’m a different person now and most of all I’m happy.”

The centre has also partnered up with volunteering organisations for those wishing to gain on the job experience whilst looking for work.

The council’s executive board member for resources, Cllr David Jenkins said: “The Hwb in Llanelli has proved very popular and a lot of additional services have been brought into it. Whilst these services attract increased footfall and have boosted trade, it also makes it easier for people to access them all under one roof or for those who prefer face to face contact.”

A new Hwb providing similar service has opened in Quay Street, Ammanford.

Tagged Carmarthenshire Council, Llanelli, Llanelli Hub, Llanelli Hwb, The Hwb, Vaughan Street