Wrexham’s Temporary Jobcentre set to close by the end of June

The large Temporary Jobcentre that opened in 2021 is set to close next year, with customers reverting back to the established Ty Maelor Jobcentre on Grosvenor Road.

Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP explained, “During the pandemic, and in direct response to the anticipated pressures on the labour market, the Department secured time-limited funding from HM Treasury and moved rapidly to introduce an additional 194 Temporary Jobcentres (or additional space in an existing Jobcentre).

“The Department also successfully recruited 13,500 temporary Work Coaches to provide claimants with the tailored face-to-face support they needed during this period of unprecedented demand for our services. The additional temporary estate was needed to safely accommodate these Work Coaches, whilst fully adhering to Government guidance on social distancing.

“The temporary expansion of the Jobcentre estate enabled the Department to drive forward this government’s Plan for Jobs, helping people back into the labour market across the UK.

“The Department has always been clear that the additional Jobcentres (or space in existing sites) were opened on a temporary basis, with short term leases, so it could adapt its services and support in response to the unprecedented and unique circumstances of the pandemic. We are now in a position where the Department is decommissioning these sites where Work Coaches and services can be accommodated in the established local Jobcentre.

“The decommissioning of the temporary estate will not reduce the levels of service provided, or access to face-to-face appointments.”

In a section specific to Wrexham, Davies added, “3-9 Hope Street Temporary Jobcentre opened on 22 September 2021. We plan to decommission the site by the end of June 2024 and customers will revert to the established Wrexham, Ty Maelor Jobcentre.”

Local councillor Marc Jones commented on the news: “The temporary jobcentre opened during the Covid lockdown and probably provided extra space and security to deal with issues of employment created by the pandemic and its aftermath. I’m not sure it was ever at capacity and the work done there will continue to take place on Grosvenor Road.

“The challenge now is how this large town-centre store can be filled, either by a new business or enterprise that will increase footfall into Wrexham.

“We’ve got six months and the clock is ticking.”

(Top pic: The Job Centre on Friday)