A new Jobcentre has opened its doors in Bexleyheath's Broadway Shopping Centre to give residents access to more support and opportunities during "a challenging time for many people."

The council said the additional branch, which will be temporary, opened last week in the former Argos unit of the shopping centre, whilst additional staff have also been recruited.

The Government's Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it had identified the need to meet further demand for jobs due to the pandemic, and had chosen to set up the centre in Bexley.

Councillor Cafer Munur, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Growth, said: “The pandemic has brought about financial hardship for many families across the country.

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"The Department for Work and Pensions has identified a need for extra support in Bexley and I’m glad to see it has taken action to bring more of its services to our residents.

"Having this additional resource central in the borough means that more local people can get help should they have any financial or employment worries.”

The job centre has recruited additional experienced work coaches to help its customers from the new site, and will be able to provide help to customers face-to-face, on the phone or online depending on the latest national and local COVID-19 guidance.

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Zoe Gibson is one of those new recruits based at the Bexleyheath Clock Tower Jobcentre.

She said: “I love being a Work Coach as I meet such a variety of customers and employers. I enjoy building a rapport with them and most importantly assisting the customers in gaining employment.”

Maggie Brown MBE is the Customer Service Leader overseeing the new site, bringing with her 31 years of DWP experience.

Maggie said: “I am so proud to be opening this new Jobcentre and supporting our customers by equipping them with the skills and confidence to gain employment.”

Mims Davies MP, the Minister for Employment said: “We know this has been a challenging time for many people and that’s why we’re boosting our DWP Jobcentre support in every community of the UK, including here in Bexleyheath.

“Every customer benefits from having a dedicated Work Coach. They know the local jobs market and work with local businesses to match jobseekers to the latest opportunities.

“It’s brilliant to see our Plan for Jobs in action, from Kickstart to Sector-based Work Academy Programmes, our Work Coaches are there to help people thrive and progress in work.”

The existing Job Centre at Westminster House, 186-194 Broadway, Bexleyheath DA6 7BB and its services will continue to operate as normal.

It works in close partnership with the Council’s employment team based at Atrium Court, 104 Erith High Street DA8 1SL to deliver a variety of employment support projects to Bexley residents, including helping them back into work or seek new opportunities.

Dave Keogh, South London Service Leader, Department for Work and Pensions, said: “Due to the economic impact of the pandemic, it is vitally important that the Department helps support both new and existing customers through these critical Work Coach roles.

"This will help ensure that our millions of customers receive the payments and help that they need and to ensure that we continue to support often the most vulnerable members of society.”