First stop shop

First Stop Shop The First Stop Shop deals with a wide range of enquiries including:

Blue Badges
Further/Higher education (Student Finance)
Street Pride
Benefits
Planning and Transportation
Local Taxation
Homelessness and housing advice
Selected Centro services
Pest Control
Payments
Car Parks

How to find us

The First Stop Shop is located on the ground floor of the Civic Centre, in Darwall Street, Walsall – adjacent to the post office and directly behind the Town Hall on Leicester Street.

Postal address

First Stop Shop
Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1EU

Opening hours

First Stop Shop

Day	Opening hours
Monday	8.45am – 5.15pm
Tuesday	8.45am – 5.15pm
Wednesday	9.30am – 5.15pm
Thursday	8.45am – 5.15pm
Friday	8.45am – 4.45pm
Saturday	Closed
Sunday	Closed

How does it work?

On entry to the First Stop Shop you will be greeted by a member of our customer service team who will be able to sign post various enquiries. Our ‘Meet and Greet’ team will acknowledge your enquiry with a numbered queuing ticket. This ticket enables us to monitor your waiting time and in turn our service to you. Your ticket number will be called in turn for the relevant service by an automatic calling system which will also display your number and the relevant customer service booth available on a visual display board.

Customer Service assistants on the ‘Meet and Greet’ desk are also able to hand out forms, accept post you may wish to hand deliver and assist with any short enquiry.

If you are issued with a queuing ticket for a customer service booth you will be called by a colleague who will assist with your enquiry personally. Booths offer the advantage of a one to one conversation with a trained assistant. Should further privacy be required interview rooms are available.

Some specialist services may require you to make an appointment with a specific officer or team this can be arranged by any member of our customer service team.

Making a payment

You can make payments at the banking hall within the First stop shop. This includes payments such as rent, council tax, parking fines, etc.

General information

During busy periods you may have to wait a short period for your number to be called. During this time please feel free to browse the information available in the ‘Self Service’ area or log on to one the four allocated pc’s programmed to provide 30 minutes free web access.

As part of our commitment to make it easier for customers to access our services.

Library information points

In 2007 we introduced Customer information points in Libraries. Libraries staff have a wealth of information at their fingertips and assist in offering customers access to Council services.

First Stop Express

The First Stop Express offers assistance with general Council enquiries within your local community.

We visit two different locations every day from Tuesday to Thursday, giving residents and shoppers the opportunity to hop on board and enquire about council services.

The bus stops at high footfall areas, such as supermarkets, town centre high streets and other community venues.

We have computers with internet access on board so people are able to renew library books, order a new bin and report fly-tipping, pay council tax, apply for a bus pass, report incidents of anti-social behaviour and access other council services.

The vehicle is 9.5 metres in length, weighs in at seven tonnes and has one of the most fuel-efficient and lowest emission engines on the market.

To find out more please Visit the First Stop Express page

Service standards

View our FSS Service Standards (PDF 101KB)

Customer complaints and comments

Your comments, compliments and complaints are important to us. We are committed to providing the best possible service to you, our customers.

We will investigate any complaints. You will receive an acknowledgement within five working days and a full response within 15 working days.

For your convenience, we have an online form on which you can make comments, request services or make a formal complaint or compliment.

Contact us