Two Citizens Advice Bureau branches to close in Shropshire

The Bridgnorth and Whitchurch offices will shut in the coming weeks due to reductions in funding, according to officials.

Branches in Shrewsbury, Telford, Ludlow and Oswestry will be unaffected.

The organisation today confirmed it is looking at alternative ways of providing services in the towns due to the funding cuts. Leading figures in both towns said the closures were going to have a big impact. Bridget Jones, a former CAB worker in Bridgnorth, said: "It's the only agency open to people in the Bridgnorth area and it's something they need.

"It means, for instance, the elderly and the employed will either have to go to Shrewsbury or Telford to get advice.

"The Bridgnorth branch has been going for 35 years and its closure has to be a bad thing. It's come as a big shock to us all but I'm not sure how many people are aware of the situation."

In Whitchurch, town mayor Rob Hewson said: "It's going to have a big impact on the people of Whitchurch because it is so well used.

"It's a worry that it's another service we are losing. It's a shame for people as they may struggle to get to Shrewsbury. Fortunately we have an Age UK office in the town so hopefully elderly people will not be affected as much."

Jackie Jeffrey, chief executive of Citizens Advice Shropshire, said: "We are facing funding reductions and this means looking at the way we deliver services in the future and what we can resource.

"We are working to find alternative ways of supporting our clients in Whitchurch, Bridgnorth and the surrounding areas, but this may require a totally different way of working. We intend to meet with organisations to discuss this situation but currently we are still in a period of consultation with our staff and volunteers."