ANDOVER Town Council will soon to move to a larger office space next door to their current location at Incuhive in The Chantry Centre.

The decision comes alongside plans to hire a new receptionist, creating a need for a more accommodating workspace.

The council's current office, Room 108, currently struggles to comfortably fit all five staff members.

With the addition of a receptionist, space becomes even tighter as the room can barely hold four desks and a small meeting table.

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To address this, a full council voted on Wednesday, March 20, to relocate to the larger Room 107 within Incuhive.

This move will allow for the replacement of bulky, mismatched desks with space-saving, uniform furniture.

In the freed-up space, a reception area can be established to facilitate meet-and-greets with the public.

“The office space currently being used is of insufficient size and not enough to accommodate both the staff and the visitors,” said Cllr Edward Reynolds, who proposed the move.

The council hopes the appointment of a receptionist will encourage residents to connect with the council in person.

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The monthly rent will increase slightly from £750 + VAT to £913 + VAT after the move, but the office space will also expand from 332 square feet to 406 square feet.

While the new office may not be ideal for public walk-ins, the council believes a receptionist will significantly improve accessibility for residents seeking assistance.

The new contract could potentially start by April 1.