Chipping Norton customer access point set to close

The District Council’s customer access point in Chipping Norton is set to close due to declining footfall.

Usage of the facility at the Guildhall has dropped sharply prompting a review which shows that from January 2018 to December 2019 the number of users declined by 66 per cent to an average of 163 a month or 38 a week.

The main reason for the fall is the growing trend for customers to access Council services digitally.

The review also revealed that 44 per cent of recent users were making a council tax payment. Such payments can now be made in a variety of ways including direct debit, online and by telephone.

A trial over the last year has seen opening hours at the access point cut to three mornings a week with no complaints from residents.

Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “It has become clear that the access point is no longer required by the vast majority of Chipping Norton residents.

“Should anyone require more information on the alternatives available, then they should not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help.”

The town library has agreed to promote the Council’s literature about services as well as providing basic advice and visitor information.

The closure has been recommended by the Council’s Cabinet with a final decision set to be made by full Council on 26 February. If the recommendation is approved the access point will close on 27 March. A full review of the future use of the building will then be undertaken.

The Council has three remaining access points in Witney at its offices in Woodgreen and Elmfield along with the town centre shop along with the Burford Visitor Information Centre.