For more than half a century it has been the place where residents have turned to for help in their hour of need.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Citizen advice bureau has moved to a new home on Gordon Road.PHOTO: Nick ButcherLowestoft Citizen advice bureau has moved to a new home on Gordon Road.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

And this week, the North East Suffolk Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) moved to a new Lowestoft home - so it can meet the challenges of providing the support the town's residents need in the 21st century.

As the CAB has moved from various location across the coastal town during its 50 years of service, it has often had to contend with rising numbers of cases depending on the social issues of the time.

But Janet John, chief executive of the North East Suffolk CAB, said: 'Online has changed things. We used to get a lot of simple, quick queries. Before, some people were in and out.

'Nowadays the majority of people we're seeing have complex problems which take more time. Interview rooms are used for longer.'

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Citizen advice bureau has moved to a new home on Gordon Road.PHOTO: Nick ButcherLowestoft Citizen advice bureau has moved to a new home on Gordon Road.PHOTO: Nick Butcher (Image: ©archant2016)

With its previous office at Gordon Road being small, cramped and fit for a different age, North East Suffolk CAB has been on the hunt for new premises for the past four years.

It finally found what it was looking for when it agreed to take over the former Suffolk County Council registry office at St Margaret's House, giving CAB workers and volunteers the valuable space they need with five interview rooms.

With ongoing refurbishments, it hopes that will become six.

And with plans to convert the old marriage room into a training centre, the CAB hopes to provide the facilities and welcoming environment people facing problems including debt, unemployment and homelessness need.

Have you got a Lowestoft story? Email andrew.papworth@archant.co.uk