THE new home for Andover's Jobcentre Plus will officially be open for business on Tuesday.

This week Jobcentre Plus completed its move to Test Valley Borough Council’s offices at Beech Hurst, in Weyhill Road and will be open from 9am on Tuesday.

It is said the co-location will strengthen ties between the council and the jobcentre; leading to a more streamlined service for Andover residents.

Leader of the council, Councillor Phil North said: “I’m extremely pleased to welcome Jobcentre Plus to the Beech Hurst site. The co-location has been achieved by adapting and making more effective use of our office space allowing us to continue to adapt and modernise the way council services are run and to provide a better user experience overall.

“We already host several of Hampshire County Council’s services and NHS Solent Children’s Therapy Service as part of the national ‘One Public Estate’ programme. This shows the value of working together across the public sector and taking a strategic approach to asset management.”

Ian Gardener, Jobcentre Plus Senior employer and partnership manager said: “The move to the Test Valley Borough Council premises will provide us with an excellent opportunity to work closer with our partners, while providing customers with access to the full range of jobcentre and local authority services under the same roof.

“The ‘one stop shop’, will create an improved experience for customers in a modern and welcoming environment, while proving cost effective for tax payers”.