A new store providing financial awareness advice has opened its doors to customers in Accrington Arndale shopping centre.

1st Call Hyndburn will now be open to residents to talk about issues around the perils of debt and personal financing.

The in-store service also plans to boost job prospects for jobseekers, offer budgeting advice, help set up bank accounts, and provide guidance on major changes to benefits and welfare reform, including the roll out of Universal Credit.

The store is run by 1st Call Hyndburn – a project funded with £513,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. It is aimed at Hyndburn Homes’ tenants and any other social housing tenant in Accrington and is being managed by Hyndburn Homes.

It will be staffed by a mixture of volunteers, Hyndburn Homes’ staff and partner organisations.

Danny Crangle, project manager, said: “It is fantastic that we have been able to open this store in the centre of Accrington.

“We hope this store will help make it easier for tenants to get support and guidance and create a presence in the community which we hope will be the ‘go to’ place for residents looking to increase their financial confidence and knowledge.

“We are here to help and in order to provide the very best support, we want people in the borough to pop into the store and access a wide range of support.

“As well as financial awareness support, tenants can also get help with CV writing, job applications, preparing for interviews, job searches, Universal Credit applications, welfare reform advice and a whole host of other information.”

Tenants can also sign up for accredited courses run in partnership with Accrington and Rossendale College and Community Solutions North West.