A new Carmarthenshire County Council customer service hub has opened its doors in Ammanford town centre.

The Hwb, in Quay Street, provides face-to-face advice on a range of council issues, as well as being a place people can make payments, get job and training support, access digital facilities, find out about volunteering opportunities and more.

Modelled on the successful Hwb in Llanelli, the service is expected to bring more footfall in to the town centre on weekdays, which in turn will help boost trade. Members of staff based there will also use local facilities.

A number of partners will use the Hwb to provide face to face services to residents, including employment and training providers C4W and Workways Plus, as well as adult education support Learn Direct.

Themed days will also make it easier for people to know when they can get help with specific issues, including support for ex-service men and women every Wednesday, and housing advice every Friday.

Cllr David Jenkins, Executive Board Member for resources, said: “Within minutes of opening the doors of our new Hwb on Quay Street in Ammanford on Monday we had members of the public coming in to make payments, make enquiries with our customer service team, and use the public computers.

“The Hwb makes it far more convenient for people to get in touch with the council, and has the added benefit of providing training, employment and volunteer support too.

“This has already worked exceptionally well in other areas of the county, where it has helped increase footfall and support local trade, and we hope this will have the same effect in Ammanford.”