Wolverhampton adult services centre to move this month before current base is demolished

The Neville Garratt Centre in Bell Street is being bulldozed to make way for a new £6 million leisure and events space.

The service, which provides assessments for equipment and adjustments so people can live independently for longer, will relocate to Action for Independence on Albert Road, just off Tettenhall Road.

Closing on Wednesday, October 11, the service will reopen at its new headquarters on Tuesday, October 17.

The move will pave the way for the Bell Street Box Space project, a designated leisure and hospitality area featuring regular street entertainment, food vendors, family attractions and space for entrepreneurial start-up companies to move into.

Becky Wilkinson, Wolverhampton Council’s director of adult social Care, said: “The Independent Living Service provides impartial advice and information as well as help and support to the elderly, disabled people and their carers.

"The service has been based at the Neville Garratt Centre for many years but, with regeneration work planned in the area, we are pleased to be able to relocate.

“People can contact the service to receive help and support with living safely and independently in their own home using home adjustments and equipment. The service offers self-assessment, clinic assessment or home assessment, depending upon the issues that are identified.”

The council’s deputy director of assets Julia Nock added: “The Box Space scheme will stimulate the high street community and help create a more vibrant leisure and evening economy.

"It will also create more opportunities for young people by delivering accessible new job opportunities in the leisure, hospitality, retail and cultural sectors.”

Free parking is available at Action for Independence and on Albert Road itself, while there are nearby bus stops on the A41 Tettenhall Road.