First stop shop
The First Stop Shop are currently able to deal with enquires for:
- Blue badges
- Further/Higher education (Student Finance)
- Street Pride
- Benefits
- Planning and Transportation
- Local Taxation
- Homelessness and housing advice
- Selected Centro services
- Payments
How to find us
The First Stop Shop is located on the ground floor of the Civic Centre, in Darwall Street, Walsall – adjacent to the post office and directly behind the Town Hall on Leicester Street.
Postal address
First Stop Shop
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1EU
Opening hours
**Please note
Bank holiday closures |
| Please be aware that the First Stop Shop will be closed on |
|
First Stop Shop
| Day | Opening hours |
| Monday | 8.45am – 5.15pm |
| Tuesday | 8.45am – 5.15pm |
| Wednesday | * 9.30am – 5.15pm |
| Thursday | 8.45am – 5.15pm |
| Friday | 8.45am – 4.45pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
* Access to banking hall (not First Stop Shop) still available from 8.45am
Banking Hall
| Day | Opening hours |
| Monday to Thursday | 8.45am - 5.15pm |
| Friday | 8.45am - 4.45pm |
Access to banking hall (not First Stop Shop) still available from 8.45am
How does it work?
On entry to the First Stop Shop you will be greeted by a customer service floor walker/concierge who will be able to sign-post various enquiries. You may be directed to our 'Meet and Greet' team who will acknowledge your enquiry with a numbered queuing ticket. This ticket enables us to monitor your waiting time and our service to you. Your ticket number will be called in turn for the relevant service by an automatic calling system which will also display your number and the relevant customer service booth available on a visual display board.
Customer Service assistants on the 'Meet and Greet' desk are also able to hand out forms, accept post you may wish to hand deliver and assist with any short enquiry.
If you are issued with a queuing ticket for a customer service booth you will be called by a customer service advisor who will assist with your enquiry personally. Booths offer the advantage of a one-to-one conversation with a trained assistant. Should further privacy be required interview rooms are available.
Currently we may have to refer some customers on to a colleague, this will not increase the queuing time and further training is taking place to provide generic customer service operators.
Our aim is to be able to resolve up to 80% of customer enquiries at the first point of contact.
Some specialist services may require you to reserve an appointment with a specific officer or team this can be arranged by any member of our customer service team.
Making a payment
You can make payments at the banking hall within the First stop shop. This includes payments such as rent, council tax, parking fines, etc.
General information
During busy periods you may have to wait a short period for your number to be called. During this time please feel free to browse the information available in the ‘Self Service’ area or log on to one the four allocated pc’s programmed to provide 30 minutes free web access.
As part of our commitment to make it easier for customers to access our services.
Library information points
In 2007 we introduced Customer information points in Libraries. Libraries staff have a wealth of information at their fingertips and assist in offering customers access to Council services.
First Stop Express
We have recently launched the Black Country's first Customer Service bus.
The customer service bus will provide a mobile First stop shop facility where customers will be able to talk to our friendly advisors about general Council services.
The scheduled route is still to be unveiled but we are working to incorporate stops at convenient locations such as supermarkets and community centres.
Service standards
Customer complaints and comments
Your comments, compliments and complaints are important to us. We are committed to providing the best possible service to you, our customers.
We will investigate any complaints. You will receive an acknowledgement within 5 working days and a full response within 15 working days.
For your convenience, we have an online form on which you can make comments, request services or make a formal complaint or compliment.
Downloads
This page was last updated on 19 June 2009