A NEW home for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council is to open in the town centre in less than three weeks' time, it has been announced.

It is part of a move by the authority to cut costs - and paves the way for the prominent site occupied by the 40-year-old Municipal Offices on North Quay to be redeveloped.

The move from North Quay to the town centre offices (Mulberry Centre) on Commercial Road, behind the library, will offer "modern surroundings and up-to-date technology to help customers access council services", W&PBC says.

The North Quay offices will close for the last time at noon on Friday, April 8 and the new offices will open on Monday, April 11.

The Customer Services Team will be there to offer advice and support, and help customers’ access services using the latest technology.

Residents will be able to access services through a variety of ways, such as new self-service kiosks and a new appointment booking system.

The council's Social Inclusion spokesman, Cllr Christine James, said: “We have worked hard to create a customer-focused council fit for the future. We want to encourage and support residents to access services online.

“The new smaller, cheaper-to-run, town centre offices will be mainly appointment based, but will still cater for residents needing to come in on an ad-hoc basis for advice and information.”

Residents and businesses can access council services by visiting the website dorsetforyou.com. The website allows people to search for planning applications, register for housing, apply for jobs and renew library books. People can also pay for a number of services such as planning applications, council tax, business rates and parking fines.

Council committee meetings will also be largely held at the new Commercial Road offices unless otherwise advertised.

As part of its budget setting process for 2013/14 Weymouth & Portland Borough Council decided to dispose of its North Quay offices and Guildhall in order to reduce running costs and generate capital receipts to increase opportunities to reduce revenue spending.

Operations are being split between Crookhill at Chickerell and South Walks House, Dorchester, while the public reception and council meeting rooms are moving to Commercial Road.

The new address is: Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, Commercial Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8NG. All existing telephone numbers will transfer across.

The North Quay offices will close at noon on Friday 8 April. In case of an emergency, call the customer service number 01305 838000.

The Commercial Road offices on Commercial Road will open at 8.30am on Monday 11 April.

For more information visit www.dorsetforyou.com/north-quay-development.