THE BOSS of a new debt service in Bradford says it is already booked up for the first six weeks of its operations, with financial struggles continuing to be a “massive problem” for people in inner city areas.

The free Tong Street Debt Centre, run by Christians Against Poverty and located at Gateway Christian Centre in Vulcan Street, will open by appointment-only on Monday, September 4.

It will then be officially opened by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend Toby Howarth, four days later.

Over the next 12 months, the service aims to help around 50 people from the district and their families through their financial troubles.

It will offer home visits to those affected and will work with people in debt within the BD4, BD5 and BD6 postcode areas, including Queensbury, Holme Wood and Wibsey.

It will be run by Louise Foster, 56, who says many of the people’s debt difficulties concern council tax, doorstep loans, credit card bills and struggles to pay utility bills.

She said: “We are dealing with the inner city of Bradford, quite deprived areas. Debt is a massive problem in Bradford.

“We are dealing with people who are struggling with their basic living costs, who may be on benefits, or those who are losing their benefits and may be struggling.

“We are already fully booked for September and for the start of October and that is before we have advertised the service. I know of other debt counsellors in Bradford who are booked out until November.”

Mrs Foster, who was awarded the District Chief Superintendent’s Commendation for her work with the Bradford Street Angels, which was set up by city centre churches in 2007 and who she worked for until 2014, added: “My previous work with the Bradford Street Angels and my ongoing role with the charity that provides after-school clubs in local schools has highlighted the stress and real suffering debt causes.

“Naturally I was delighted when the opportunity to run the new Bradford Tong Street CAP Debt came about.

“I’m thankful that I can do this on a voluntary basis, because I know that there are people that need our help.

“People in debt sometimes say that they feel like they are in a very dark place so it will be great to offer a ray of hope to the people of Bradford south. Appointments are already coming in thick and fast, so we know there is a need.”

The service’s home visits are designed to give those affected their privacy, while CAP’s head office talks with creditors and creates a budget for each client.

Meanwhile, the Tong Street team, which also includes six volunteers, then offer personal support to each person until they become debt free.

CAP has branches spread across the country and beyond with a global presence in Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

It has 280 staff working at its headquarters in Bradford and has 600 centres across the UK, featuring a total of 1,200 workers. CAP also helps 22,000 with debt advice each year and has 40,000 supporters for its work.