A new customer service centre for Mid Suffolk council has been opened in Stowmarket as the council prepares to complete its move of its main offices to Ipswich.

The council shares an administration with Babergh council, but up to now the authorities have worked out of their offices at Needham Market and Babergh.

Now they are moving to share Suffolk County Council’s Endeavour House headquarters in Ipswich – but with customer service departments at Stowmarket and Sudbury.

The Stowmarket office has opened at 54 Ipswich Street and will allow residents to access council services directly, without requiring appointments booked in advance.

Mid Suffolk District Council Leader Nick Gowrley joined council chairman Derrick Haley, Lead Member for Customer Service Suzie Morley and Chief Executive Arthur Charvonia to open the venue.

Residents will be able to visit the office any time between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays, bank holidays excepted.

Council staff will be based at 54 Ipswich Street, which has previously been home only to Suffolk County Council staff, and will help residents access council services directly.

Residents will also be able to meet specific council officers at thereby appointment, ensuring all council services can be accessed easily within the districts.

The councils’ public access strategy is designed to ensure residents can access council services in the most convenient way for them.

The councils have therefore improved introduced a new website, and single phone number for all customer enquiries – 0300 1234 000. However the Councils recognise that some residents will still need to access services face to face.

Suzie Morley said: “As our council goes through changes to make it more efficient and provide better value for council taxpayers’ money, we need to ensure our residents can continue to access our services and get the support they need.

“We have put a lot of work into our new website and into our simple, single phone number, but this new venue guarantees that our services will remain as accessible as ever even for those who aren’t able to get online.”