A TEAM of advisers has been recruited to replace the now-closed West Somerset Advice Bureau, in Minehead.

But, Citizens Advice Somerset (CAS) is still looking for places across the district from which the team can work.

Taunton and three other Citizen Advice offices across Somerset previously merged to form CAS while Minehead remained independent but affiliated to the service.

However, CAS supported a third of all West Somerset residents who needed help in the past financial year because it delivers specialist debt and open mental health advice across the county.

CAS was also recently awarded the Government’s ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’ contract for Somerset, which covers West Somerset, too.

Executive operations manager Rhoda Cooke told the Free Press: “We are working at pace to stand up in-person advice provision in West Somerset.

“We have recruited a small team and are in discussion with some community partners about running community access points in various towns.

“In the interim, residents of West Somerset can call our free advice line on 0808 278 7842, available Monday to Friday 9 am to 4 pm, and access advice by email, accessible any time.”

Ms Cooke said details were available on the CAS website.

The West Somerset bureau closed at the end of April after 48 years in which it helped more than 130,000 people and ran 100 outreach surgeries and nearly 100 home visits annually to help those unable to travel.

The closure was forced on its trustees by a ‘challenging funding environment and unsustainable rising costs’.

In its final report to Minehead town councillors, the bureau said it had helped 2,459 clients in the 2025-26 financial year, an increase of 5.5 per cent on the previous year.

Nearly half of all client issues related to benefits, tax credits, and Universal Credit, with housing being the next largest subject.