Families across Stoke-on-Trent will soon have a new lifeline on their doorstep, as Citizens Advice prepares to open a dedicated high street hub in Hanley town centre. The move comes as more households than ever are turning to the charity for help navigating everything from mounting debts to benefit claims and housing worries.
The new shop will offer face-to-face support on the issues that matter most to local families right now – managing debt, understanding benefit entitlements, resolving housing problems, and knowing your rights at work. It's a recognition that sometimes you need to sit down with someone who truly understands the system and can help you find a way forward.
Citizens Advice has seen demand for its services soar as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. With energy bills still eye-wateringly high and food costs refusing to come down, many people are finding themselves asking for help for the first time in their lives. The charity knows that not everyone can easily access support online or over the phone – whether that's due to poor internet access, complex situations that need explaining properly, or simply preferring to talk things through face to face.
Whilst the exact opening date and full operating hours are still being finalised, the commitment to bringing support directly to Hanley's high street shows how seriously Citizens Advice takes its role in the community. This new hub will work alongside their existing phone lines, online resources, and outreach work to make sure help is available when and how people need it most.
For a city like Stoke-on-Trent, which has weathered its fair share of economic challenges, having accessible, expert support right in the heart of the community could make all the difference. Whether you're struggling with bills, facing eviction, or simply don't understand a benefits letter, having somewhere local to turn means problems can be tackled before they spiral out of control.