The final part of the £4.3million change to North West Leicestershire District Council's accommodation has been completed, with the renovation of the historic Stenson House on London Road in Coalville.

But, despite the cost, the council has always said this was a money-saving move set against a backdrop of what it described as a failing, inefficient building that it says required millions to modernise.

Plus, with a workforce that works flexibly and often from home, the council decided in 2022 to reduce the size of its office space, move its customer centre to a more accessible location and refurbish the civic spaces.

The council says the project has reduced the running costs of its buildings by around half, as it is now operating from much more modern and energy efficient buildings.

 The development has included: 

• A modern Customer Centre which has been open in the middle of the town centre since November. The council says this move to a more visible and accessible place has seen an increase in people visiting in person to ask for advice or support. A police desk is also located here
• Office-based staff work from home or from a refurbished Whitwick Business Centre, which was already owned by the council. This smaller, more efficient workspace is able to accommodate around 50 per cent of staff at any time
• A restored and modernised historic Stenson House, which is the location for all council democratic business and committee meetings, as well as being a rentable space and home to Citizens Advice and the Leicestershire County Council Registrars Service.

The council adds that building contractor Stepnells carried out all the work on time and on budget.

The council's Customer Centre has been opened on Belvoir Road since November

In addition to the work to the building, design work has also started to create a public square on the land around Stenson House and redesign the London Road Car Park.

The 1970s extension to Stenson House, previously known as the Council Offices, has been separated from the historic part of the building and is now being prepared for demolition and redevelopment.

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Deputy Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, said: "The decision to modernise our accommodation has led to better environments for our staff and customers, as well as saving money and helping us to be more energy efficient.

"The choice was to plough millions into a failing building simply to help it stay afloat or look for alternative solutions.

"Now the project is complete, our running costs are reduced and we've removed the long term drain on our budgets from our buildings."

People can contact the council in a number of ways that suit them:

• Online – at any time. Many services are available on the website www.nwleics.gov.uk and through an online account, including reporting missed bins, paying for council tax and viewing planning applications
• On the phone – Monday to Wednesday and Friday 9am to 5pm and Thursday 9am to 4pm staff are available on the phone 01530 454545
• By post – all post should be sent to NWLDC, PO Box 11051, Coalville, LE67 0FW
• In person – by visiting the Customer Centre on Belvoir Road, Coalville (at the entrance to the Belvoir Shopping Centre).