A former Argos store in Rhyl will become an additional temporary Jobcentre to cope with a hike in demand due to Covid.
The shop on Bodfor Street closed during the pandemic with Argos relocating to within Sainsbury's in the town.
Now the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) wants to use the site as a second Jobcentre with specialist 'Work Coaches' to run alongside the existing facility in the High Street.
Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies said: “As a result of the pandemic, the Department for Work and Pensions has seen and anticipates further increases in demand for its services.
“It has already responded to this unprecedented demand by employing more Work Coaches. DWP have committed to recruiting an additional 13,500 Work Coaches nationally to help support and deliver the full range of Jobcentre services needed for those impacted by Covid 19.
“As a result of the scale of demand for its services, the recruitment of more Work Coaches, and the need to accommodate these and its existing staff safely, there is a requirement for DWP to expand its estates capacity on a temporary basis, allowing all staff to adhere to social distancing measures."
This has also seen them take on a former Argos store in Colwyn Bay.
On the Rhyl site, Dr Davies said: “There is still detailed planning work to do and there is a schedule of building works required to convert the space to suit the needs of customers: therefore a date for opening has not yet been confirmed.”
He added: "The pandemic has placed extraordinary pressures on Jobcentres across the country and this additional resource to deal with these pressures in Rhyl is very much needed and welcomed.
“I look forward to visiting the new Jobcentre when it opens.”
