A PRIVATE firm is losing its contract to run the district council's customer service centre in the town's library.

Malvern Hills District Council says there will be no job losses when its contract with Civica ends on March 1.

The company currently runs the council hub, which handles queries about things ranging from housing to bus passes, in Malvern Library.

Council bosses say they will save around £100,000 by moving the service into their new reception building in Avenue Road, Malvern.

Construction of the £450,000 property, next to Council House, is expected to be complete by the end of February.

District councillor Paul Cumming, head of finance and resources for the council, said: “The contract we have with Civica to run the hub is no longer cost-effective due to the rising number of people wanting to do business with the council online and falling demand for phone and face to face enquiries.

"Residents also repeatedly express frustration at not being able to contact the council directly.

"As a result we have made changes to our customer service offer which includes an improved website with more online services.

"We will also be creating a dedicated reception area at the Council House, due to be completed early next year, to re-open it to the public and we are reviewing our telephone arrangements so more people can contact officers directly.

"The changes will save in the region of £100,000 a year. There will be no redundancies as part of the changes.”

The savings are in revenue spending, not capital funds.

Capital spending is restricted to infrastructure projects, such as the council's new reception building.

A Malvern Hills District Council spokesman insisted that no services will be lost as a result of the changes.

The spokesman said there was a clause in the council's contract with Civica which meant it could pull out of the deal early by giving written consent.

The council reportedly signed an eight-and-a-half year contract with the company in 2015.

Civica was unavailable for comment.