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The Broadway, Loughton cash office – closed to customers since March as part of COVID-19 lockdown – is set to re-open next month.
The office will open on Monday 10 August and every Monday/Tuesday 10am-2pm from then.
Alternative payment methods
All face-to-face council services were suspended to protect employees and customers at the height of the pandemic. Over 50% of customers switched to alternative payment methods such as direct debit, self-serve online, using the automated payment line or through secure assisted telephone payments.
Customer service employees were able to talk people through the new ways of paying if they were uncertain but for some customers cash remains the only option if they don’t have bank accounts or debit cards.
Safety of cashiers and customers
Detailed risk assessments are being carried out in advance of opening to ensure the safety of cashiers and customers. The payment kiosk at Waltham Abbey Library is now up and running again as well.
Step forward for residents
Councillor Holly Whitbread, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community welcomed the move, saying:
This is an encouraging step forward for those residents who can’t or don’t want to use an alternative method of payment.
For the longer term we are looking at ways of introducing offsite cash payment options at other suitable locations and where possible integrating other community resources into our Broadway cash payment office.
Safety measures in place
Notices will be displayed at the cash office to advise customers of safety measures in place, including social distancing and restrictions on the number of customers in the cash office at any time.
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