Citizens Advice shop set for relocation

Sunday 04 September 2022

The Citizens Advice shop on The Bridge is closing its doors following 14-years of trading on September 17, but it is relocating to Mont Arrive where volunteers are required to decorate and manage the new premises.

It’s current premises, which are owned by the Channel Islands Co-operative, are planned to be reclaimed and demolished as part of the proposed Leale’s Yard housing development.

Citizens Advice expressed their thanks to the Co-op for allowing them to use the building “on extremely favourable terms”, which allowed it to generate “much-needed funding” over many years. 

Pictured: The new shop will be located on Mont Arrive.

The charity is aiming for its new store, located at the Mont Arrive Complex in St. Peter Port, to be “a light, bright space to showcase the wide variety of items” available, and to provide comfort to its trained advisors who operate the confidential phone service. 

A significant proportion of the charity’s funding is raised by the shop, and it is hoped that the new location, which is the previous home of other charities such as Les Bourgs Hospice, will ensure continued success.

Margaret Lowe, Manager of the shop on The Bridge, commented: “We are so sad that the shop has to close. We are very proud of the financial support we have provided to keep Citizens Advice going, largely through the success of this shop, and manning the shop has brought all of the volunteers together as a close team of friends”. 

Pictured: Volunteers are being sought at the new shop, both decorators and shop assistants are required. 

Until recently, the Friends of Citizens have ensured that, to a large extent, Citizens Advice has not needed to seek funding from philanthropic sources. Over the last 20 years, the Friends have raised approximately £1,000,000. 

“Citizens Advice is excited to have secured the premises, with its long history of being home to successful charity shops,” said Liz Timms, the Chair of the Friends of Citizens Advice.

‘The last 20 years have been hard work but extremely rewarding. Guernsey’s Citizens Advice service plays such a vital role in our community and we want to continue funding our work as much as possible through the shop.”

‘The Friends volunteers have dedicated a lot of time to make this work and we are extremely grateful to each and every one of them for their generosity of time and enthusiasm. It has been an extremely enjoyable 20 years and we have had lots of fun and laughter amongst the hard work.”

Ms Lowe added that it was fulfilling working in the shop alongside the Friends and helping many loyal customers. 

For more information on how to volunteer as a shop assistant or to help with the redecoration contact Alison Vine on 07394 441500 or at alison.vine@suremail.gg.