The History of Pendle CAB

Pendle Citizens Advice Bureau was originally founded in Colne in 1975.  Although Nelson is the largest town in Pendle, no suitable site was available, and so the original Bureau was located in Colne.  During the first year of operation we handled 3,161 enquiries - to put that in perspecative, in 2003 we handled in excess of 20,000!

In February 1977 the service expanded into Barnoldswick and outreach sessions were held in Nelson.  The first Nelson Bureau opened in the Bus Station in 1984, later relocating to the current Every Street location in 2001.  In 2004 the Colne Bureau moved from its Duke Street location to The Citadel in the Market Place.  Today, all Pendle Citizens Advice Bureaux are fully accessible to people with physical disabilities.

The Aims and Principles of the CAB Service

To ensure that individuals do not suffer through lack of knowledge of their rights and responsibilities or of the service available to them, or through an inability to express their needs effectively.

To exercise a responsible influence on the development of social policies and services both locally and nationally.

The four mainstays of the service provided by the CAB are that it be:

• Free
• Confidential
• Impartial
• Independent

Pendle CAB is independent and provides free, confidential, impartial advice to everyone, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and disability.