Communications giant BT says it will close its Liverpool office putting 601 jobs at risk. Tony McDonough reports
BT is to close its Liverpool city centre office which employs 601 people.
In a statement the communications giant said it had begun a period of consultation with staff based at The Plaza in St Paul’s Square which is in the heart of the city’s central business district.
On June 30 staff at the site were informed of the decision, which has been made as part of a “strategic review”. A consultation process will begin on July 20 and some staff will be offered relocation to offices in Manchester and Leeds.
However, BT admitted this would not be a practical option for many of those affected which means many face losing their jobs. People could ve offered relocation packages or discretionary enhanced redundancy.
Staff at the Plaza include people employed by BT’s business division, Openreach workers who oversee the UK’s broadband network and Government-outsourced 999 call handlers
BT said: “BT has been modernising and optimising our estate to ensure our workplaces are fit for the future and provide the best possible environments for our people. As part of this strategy, we are proposing to close our office at the Plaza in Liverpool.
“We are working closely with impacted colleagues, with some proposed to move to other locations. We will continue to support all our colleagues throughout this change.”
This announcement has angered both union leaders and Liverpool Riverside Labour MP Kim Johnson. She said: “This is another example of the damage caused when decisions are driven by corporate cost-cutting rather than people and communities.
“Our city is one of the UK’s fastest-growing digital economies, with outstanding transport links, a highly skilled workforce and world-class universities.
READ MORE: Mayor halts £250m Merseyrail shareholder gravy train
READ MORE: Taxpayer to foot entire bill for £60m Pall Mall office scheme
“Liverpool has everything a major employer needs. BT must recognise that, and show the same commitment to Liverpool and its workforce that its employees have shown to the company.”
In 2019 BT was due to expand its presence in the city centre. It was ready to sign up for a pre-let agreement to occupy new offices at Pall Mall. However, the COVID pandemic forced the company into a rethink and the plans were put on hold.