Residents in Helston will soon be able to access a range of public services in one place after the library, information service and job centre plus moved into the same building.

The services will also be joined at the redeveloped Helston Library building by a new children’s library and a JobCentre Plus service.

Cornwall Council has said the redevelopment will make more efficient use of the existing footprint, increasing floorspace by 10 per cent, allowing architects to create a new children’s library and a new interview room.

The council added that bringing the services under one roof helps reduce costs and brings in more potential library users, ensuring long-term sustainability, and means the library can remain open.

In addition to the current library service opening hours residents will also benefit from new self-service access from 9am to 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Edwina Hannaford, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for neighbourhoods, said: “I would like to thank the Department of Work and Pensions for working with us on this exciting project. The new joint customer hub will allow local residents, library users and job seekers to access a wide range of essential public sector services at one convenient location and I am sure this will be a great asset for the town.”

John Martin, Cornwall Councillor for Helston South, said: “This new customer hub will be of great benefit to the town and I’m sure the new children’s library will prove to be a popular new addition to the library.”

Nathan Kendall, Jobcentre Plus manager for Helston, said: “This is excellent news for jobseekers. The move to the new centre will give access to a wide range of key services under one roof. Advice on benefits and help for jobseekers will be available in this new customer hub, while giving local taxpayers value for money.”

During the period of the refurbishment works at the library, expected to be completed in November, a temporary library service will operate from Isaac House, on Tyacke Road, over the usual library hours.