Harborough District Council is re-opening its customer services next week

Harborough council is re-opening its front-facing Customer Services from Monday July 13 for essential enquiries on an appointment-only basis.

You will be able to make appointments to visit the Customer Services team, located in The Symington Building in Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, by calling 01858 828282.

You can also book online at www.harborough.gov.uk/f2fappointment from 12noon on Thursday July 9.

“Customers will be triaged to establish the nature of their enquiry and if they are able to access the service from home, online, or by telephone, they will be asked to do so,” said the district council.

“Appointments will be only be offered to those who have no other means of undertaking their transaction with the council.

“Payments for services will not be taken through the appointment service.”

Cllr Paul Dann, Harborough council’s cabinet lead for corporate services, said: “We are pleased that, having put new measures in place, we are able to re-open to help customers with their essential enquiries.

“However, the safety of customers and our staff is paramount and it is crucial that people only visit customer services if they have a pre-booked appointment.”

Appointments will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays only between 10am and 12noon and between 1pm and 4pm.

There will be no internal seated waiting area for customers.

And, to limit access to the building, only one customer per enquiry will be allowed unless the customer is vulnerable or exceptional circumstances apply.

“Only customers with a pre-booked appointment will be able to see a customer services adviser – our walk-in service is not available.

“Once entering the Customer Services area people will be required to follow the signage and support the 2m social distancing,” said the council.

“A hand sanitising station will be available on entering the building which customers will be required to use.

“People who visit the council to see a customer services adviser without an appointment will be asked to contact the council as noted above and make an appointment.

“The public access computers are not in use and there are no toilets available for use by members of the public.

“This is to ensure that the number of people in the building is always kept to a minimum.”

Customer Service Advisers have been supplied with face coverings, gloves and hand sanitiser for their personal use.

Customer services desks have been fitted with plastic screening.

“We will also be carrying out cleaning on a regular basis to help reduce the risk of infecting others,” said the authority.