This Local & Community History Month, we’re taking a look back at the history of Citizens Advice in Bury and Bolton and celebrating more than 80 years of standing alongside local people through changing times.
From wartime rationing to modern-day debt and housing issues, our mission has always stayed the same: providing free, independent advice to anyone who needs it.
Where It All Began
The first Bury Citizens Advice Bureau opened on 4 September 1939, the day after the Second World War was declared. Based at Richard Crompton House in Bury, volunteers supported residents with wartime challenges including rationing, lost clothing coupons, army allowances and tracing missing relatives.
Bolton’s Citizens Advice service also began during the Second World War through the Bolton Guild of Help, helping local people access support and practical guidance during an incredibly difficult time.
Even in those early years, Citizens Advice was about more than information, it was about helping people cope during uncertainty and making sure nobody had to face problems alone.
Growing Across Bury & Bolton
As demand for advice grew, so did the service.
- Radcliffe Bureau opened on 20 January 1968
- Prestwich Bureau opened on 31 March 1973
- Bury town centre Bureau opened in April 1974 at 148 The Rock
Over the years, thousands of local residents turned to Citizens Advice for help with employment issues, housing, faulty goods, benefits, debt and family concerns.
As communities changed, our advice services adapted too.
Fighting for Local People
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, advisers supported people through major welfare reforms, rising debt issues and the introduction of the Poll Tax.
Annual reports from the time described bureaux being “swamped” with worried residents trying to understand confusing systems and financial pressures.
Citizens Advice also played an important role in improving access to support for vulnerable groups. Prestwich Hospital Bureau, founded in 1982, became nationally recognised for its work supporting mental health patients, carers and staff.
Whether helping people maximise their income, challenge unfair situations or simply understand their rights, our advisers and volunteers have always fought to ensure local people are heard.
Challenges Along the Way
Like many community organisations, Citizens Advice has faced its own challenges over the decades, from funding pressures to unsuitable buildings and increasing demand for support.
One of the biggest challenges came in December 2015, when Storm Eva caused severe flooding in Radcliffe. The bureau was badly damaged, with paperwork, equipment and furniture lost in the floodwaters.
Despite this, staff and volunteers continued supporting residents while services were relocated to St John’s House in Bury town centre.
The resilience shown during difficult times reflects the dedication that has always been at the heart of Citizens Advice.
A New Chapter: Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton
On 1 April 2019, Citizens Advice Bury District and Citizens Advice Bolton formally merged to become Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton.
The merger brought together decades of experience and strengthened our ability to support residents across both boroughs through advice on debt, benefits, housing, energy, employment and much more.
Today, while the way people access advice may have evolved, our purpose remains unchanged: helping people find a way forward.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Local & Community History Month, we want to thank every volunteer, staff member, supporter and resident who has been part of our story over the last eight decades.
Citizens Advice has always been built by communities, for communities and we’re proud to continue that tradition today.