South Norfolk Council set out opening date for Mere's Mouth Octagon office in Diss

South Norfolk Council has announced a new community office in Diss to ensure people will not need to travel to its new Norwich headquarters.

Back in May, the council announced that it would be quitting its Long Stratton HQ and moving almost 15 miles up the road to the Horizon Business Centre on Broadland Business Park, leaving some people concerned they would not be able to make the long journey.

This week, council officials announced that the Octagon by the Mere would be repurposed as a “one-stop shop” for people in Diss, Roydon and Harleston to deal with their council needs.

“Two-thirds of residents will be closer to this than Horizon,” a spokesman said.

“So we have decided to open a community office here, which will mean that people don’t have to travel to Broadland Business Park to deal with us.

“People can come in and, if they want to, make an appointment to see someone, or we can help them get online. It’s going to bring the council back to the heart of Diss.

“We are making sure that the council is visible and our services are easy to access.

“It’s getting the message out there that if you have got issues or problems, we are here to help you.

“It’s going to be a one-stop shop and I think it will become a real part of the community.

“We are making sure that the good people of Diss, Harleston and Roydon have access to all council services and no-one feels that, with South Norfolk Council offices moving, they don’t have access to us.”

The building, which was last used as premises for pop-up shops, will be staffed by one council worker from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

A private quiet room will also be available for people to have confidential discussions if needed.

Diss and Roydon councillors Keith Kiddie and Graham Minshull visited the building on Wednesday – ahead of its scheduled October 17 opening date.

“The main thing is we can respond to people’s problems,” said Cllr Kiddie.

“They can just come in, say ‘I’ve got an issue’, and we can deal with it.

“I’m hoping it will be part of the community so, if there’s an event going on, we can use it to get information.”

Cllr Minshull added: “It’s something that I think has been needed for some time.

“Even before the move from Long Stratton, if you didn’t have any transport, you relied on the bus.

“With this in here, you have got real links and a more frequent bus service.”