Fantastic new community facility opens in heart of Bridlington as Citizens Advice launches new base 

‘People’s Champion’ charity gives former bank a new lease of life

A leading local charity has launched its new base in Bridlington, which is set to become a “powerhouse” facility for fellow third-sector organisations in the area. 

Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding, which has been supporting local communities for 85 years, welcomed guests and partners including Charlie Dewhirst MP, Bridlington mayor Cllr Rick Arrand, Northern Powergrid, Bridlington Harbour Commissioners and landlords The Lords Feoffees for the opening of the office at 6 Manor Street. 

The former Barclays Bank building will enable Citizens Advice, the “People’s Champion”, to work in partnership with other local organisations to support residents of Bridlington and surrounding areas with free, confidential, independent and impartial advice on a wide range of issues – including debt, benefits, housing, employment, relationships and family.  

New life has been breathed into the historic building with a conversion into a light, bright space with scope to expand services, after the charity outgrew its former base of more than 30 years in Prospect Arcade.  

Citizens Advice supports thousands of clients a year from across the East Riding in person in Bridlington at a weekly drop-in session on Tuesdays and pre-arranged appointments on other days, alongside offices in Hull, Beverley and Goole, a wide range of outreach locations and specialist services. Every £10 donated to Citizens Advice creates £112 of financial outcomes for clients. 

The project was led by local man John Connelly, Head of Business Operations and Planning at Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding. He said: “None of our money that’s invested in this property, and the people that work here, leaves the county – or leaves the town, really. All our outcomes are local. 

“The Lords Feoffees have been really good to us here because they’ve provided the building at a reasonable rental outgoing. For the next three years we have the chance to expand without that overhead impinging on what we want to achieve… it gives us more investment capital to do other works, whether that’s renovate the second floor for a call centre or renovate the basement for youth groups and other third-sector groups to use.  

“I can see this being a real powerhouse in the north of the county for the third sector. When you’ve got a vibrant space being filled by a vibrant charity like ours, that’s good news for the community. They see something positive happening.” 

‘Building a stronger, more resilient community’

Kimberley Thomas, Co-Founder & Chairman of local Bridlington charity Fuse Youth Services, said: “Fuse Youth Services was honoured to be invited to the opening of Bridlington’s new Citizens Advice centre. As Co-Founder and Chairman, I want to express how important it is to us to support young people and their families across the community. 

“Working alongside Citizens Advice allows us to take a more holistic approach, offering not just youth support through Fuse but also giving families access to trusted advice and guidance when they need it most. The opportunity to refer young people and their families for additional support helps us build a stronger, more resilient community. 

“Having access to a safe space at the Citizens Advice centre, whether for meetings, youth sessions, or family support, reflects the spirit of a “whole town” approach to raising a child. Together, we can ensure that no young person or family feels left behind.” 

Jim Doyle, Chairperson of Trustees, Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding, said: “This new space symbolises not just bricks and mortar, but a renewed commitment to serve the people of Bridlington. This facility brings a modern, accessible and professional environment where our staff and volunteers can support the community on issues that matter. 

“We hope to make this a hub for other VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) groups who may wish to use this facility to support the community alongside us.” 

Charlie Dewhirst, Member of Parliament for Bridlington and the Wolds, said at the opening of the office: “What a fantastic new location here in terms of the refurb of an old building, bringing it back to life in the centre of town.  

“As Member of Parliament I look forward to working with you all very closely because a lot of people come to me for support and it’s great that I can help refer them to the right services through organisations like Citizens Advice, and working alongside our East Riding councillors and our town councillors to make life for everybody in Bridlington better.” 

John Connelly paid tribute to Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding’s retiring SHEF (Safety, Health, Environment & Fire) & Facilities Lead Peter Rowell, and IT lead Ben Tatham, “for the long hours, dedication and attention to detail to make this project such a success”. 

The former Barclays Bank building is part of Bridlington’s heritage. The site once housed the practice of Francis Johnson, a renowned local architect. It was built in 1800 and bought around 1811 by Sir Henry Boynton (9th Baronet) of Burton Agnes Hall, who lived there until around 1832. Coincidentally, Francis Johnson was the architect responsible for the restoration of the Long Gallery at Burton Agnes Hall.