A GREENOCK woman’s dispute with a local retailer today reignited calls for a Citizens’ Advice Bureau to be introduced in Inverclyde.

Jeannette Halliday ended up locked in a battle with Discount World in West Blackhall Street over £750 she handed over for a full set of furniture which they failed to deliver in the timescale.

When Mrs Halliday contacted the national consumer rights helpline for advice she was told she would have to travel to Paisley or Glasgow for a Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

The row was resolved after the Tele intervened to secure the refund but Jeanette has hit out at the lack of protection for consumers locally.

She said: “I think it is terrible there is no Citizen Advice Bureau. 

“I phoned up consumer advice so I knew that I was entitled to my refund.

“I didn’t know where to turn to get help — there was nowhere in Inverclyde I could go.

“My only other option was a solicitor.

“I don’t know what I would have done without the Tele.”

The SNP’s council group leader Councillor Chris McEleny believes people in the district are being shortchanged by the lack of a CAB and has now renewed his calls for one to be set up in the area.

Inverclyde is one of two local authorities in Scotland which does not have a Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Cllr McEleny, who previously raised the issue in his party’s manifesto at the last council elections, said: “Various services offer the range of services that CAB do, but it is clear people struggle to navigate them. 

“We pledged to create a single point of contact, an Inverclyde Citizens’ Advice service.

“Taking account of the political make-up up of the council, and that this manifesto pledge appeared to have support from the community, this is one of our many policy ideas that we will use our presence on the council to try bring to fruition.”