Southam one-stop-shop Official Opening

'Warwickshire Direct - Southam', a one-stop-shop which brings Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwickshire County Council services together under one roof at Southam library, will be officially opened on Tuesday 15 July at 12.30pm.    

Events on the day include face painting and Wiggle & Jiggle for the younger visitors, coffee and cake, stickers and balloons and an appearance by the Warwickshire Bear.  

'Warwickshire Direct - Southam', the first one-stop-shop facility for Stratford District, provides local people with a single point of access to library services, local information, advice and other key services, all in a convenient town centre location.  

A team of friendly customer service advisors have been extensively trained to answer people's enquiries on a range of matters - including disabled parking badges, council tax enquiries, housing enquiries, environmental health, refuse collections, planning, leisure services and a lot more.  

Warwickshire Direct - Southam opening hours are:       

• Monday 09:00 - 17:00
• Tuesday 09:00 - 19:00
• Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
• Thursday 09:00 - 19:00
• Friday 09:00 - 17:00
• Saturday 09:30 - 13:00
• Sunday closed  

"This exciting new joint venture between the District and County Council is designed to make council services more accessible to local people and by working together we are now able to offer extended opening hours."

"Warwickshire Direct - Southam will be the first of three planned one-stop-shops in south Warwickshire.  This is a marvellous achievement and another example of effective partnership working," says Cllr Sue Wixey, Customer Services Portfolio Holder for Stratford District Council.

"Libraries are a much valued resource in the community and provide an excellent focal point to bring together all of the services that this one-stop-shop will offer in one convenient venue for the residents of Southam," says Cllr Heather Timms, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services at Warwickshire County Council.  

A number of one-stop-shops, providing joint access to District and County Council services, have already successfully opened their doors to the public in other parts of Warwickshire. 

The District Council's customer service reception was located at The Grange in Southam and moved to Southam Library as part of the new joint venture in April 2008.