A NEW and additional temporary job centre is to open in Rhyl to deal with further increases in demand for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) services as a result of the pandemic.

The second centre in the town will be situated at 7 Bodfor Street and will run alongside the existing job centre in the High Street.

Dr James Davies, Vale of Clwyd MP, said: “As a result of the pandemic, the Department for Work and Pensions has seen and anticipates further increases in demand for its services.

“It has already responded to this unprecedented demand by employing more Work Coaches. DWP have committed to recruiting an additional 13,500 Work Coaches nationally to help support and deliver the full range of Jobcentre services needed for those impacted by Covid-19.

“As a result of the scale of demand for its services, the recruitment of more work coaches, and the need to accommodate these and its existing staff safely, there is a requirement for DWP to expand its estates capacity on a temporary basis, allowing all staff to adhere to social distancing measures."

An opening date for the venue has not yet been revealed.

James added: “There is still detailed planning work to do and there is a schedule of building works required to convert the space to suit the needs of customers: therefore a date for opening has not yet been confirmed.

“The pandemic has placed extraordinary pressures on job centres across the country and this additional resource to deal with these pressures in Rhyl is very much needed and welcomed."