Shape Mendip Hub loses a major partner
The brand new concept launched by Mendip District Council four years ago in January 2015 has just lost one of its partners. The concept of the hub was that public services such as Police, District, County and Town councils, Citizens Advice and a whole raft of services could all be found in one place. New purpose built offices were prepared at Cannards Grave Road on the edge of Shepton Mallet
Today the Police have announced that they will be leaving the Shape Mendip Hub for premises in Shepton Mallet. A new police station will open in Shepton Mallet, based at Hawkins Retail Centre in the town centre that will also be the base for officers on patrol covering Street and Frome too.
A spokesperson for Avon & Somerset Police explained “Shepton Mallet police station will house an enquiry office open to the public as well as a base for the local neighbourhood policing team and the patrol team for the Mendips. It is expected to open in summer/autumn 2019. This move confirms the commitment to keep the local neighbourhood policing team in the heart of the community. The new police station will replace the current neighbourhood police base at Mendip District Council.”
The move does however call into question the value of the original hub concept as clearly it has not worked for the Police who found they were too remote from the community they serve.
The new Shepton Police Station will open during the summer.
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should this read HASKINS RETAIL CENTRE ?
I am sure you are right – I thought it myself but rechecked the Press Release from the Police and they have definitely called it “Hawkins”. But assuming it is the centre at the top of the High Street to the west side, then you’d be right. I am not aware of a Hawkins Centre !