A COUNCIL reception area has been givenahi-tech, £54,000 facelift.

Basildon Council has redesigned the area at the Basildon Centre, in St Martin’s Square.

The old facility has been removed and modernised with an emphasis now placed on self-service, similar to till points found in High Street banks and supermarkets.

Staff who used to work on the cashier counters and other customer advisors have been retrained to focus on helping customers with the new selfservice system.

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “I know whatamassive project and challenge it has been and to deliver what we have in suchashort space of time is very impressive.

“Customer service is so important for our local community and of course it is important for our reputation as a council.

“As they say, first impressions really do count and I know the team has dealt with all of the changes professionally and with enthusiasm.”