Sky's customer service staff in Stockport have been left "struggling to sleep" due to the uncertainty over the future of its centre in the borough, one employee says.
The company unveiled plans last week to shut down its centres in Stockport, Sheffield and central Leeds as part of a business transformation aimed at providing "offer quicker, simpler, and more digital customer service."
However, this has left over 500 employees at the Stockport site in a state of limbo.
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An unnamed worker told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the announcement has left many at the centre feeling "anxious and scared".
"We're heartbroken," they said. "Behind every role at risk is a person – someone with a family to support, a mortgage to pay, or children to care for.
"We're not just losing jobs. We're facing the loss of our stability, our routine, and our peace of mind."
"The stress this is causing can't be overstated. People are struggling to sleep. They're worried about how they'll afford their bills, how they'll find new childcare if they have to travel further, and what their future looks like."
It is believed that Sky's Stockport customer service centre employs a total of 545 people from across Greater Manchester and the north west.
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The staff member said: "This site has been a huge part of our lives – it's where we've made friendships, grown careers, and taken pride in what we do.
"We've always shown up for Sky, and for each other. We've worked through the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and countless changes – and we've done it with care, resilience, and professionalism.
"Right now, we just feel forgotten. This isn't just a business decision. It's a human one. And the cost to our mental health, our families, and our futures is real. We just want to be heard."
The proposed closure of Sky's Stockport centre has sparked concerns among local politicians, who are calling for an urgent meeting to discuss the matter.
Leaders at Stockport council penned an open letter to Sky last week, expressing 'deep concern and disappointment' over the planned move.
Stockport MP Navendu Mishra criticised the decision, saying: "It seems really regressive that Sky would choose to do this, and of course I don't know Sheffield or Leeds as well as I know Stockport, but it's a hammer blow to those communities,".
Mr Mishra confirmed that Sky has agreed to meet with him, during which he plans to urge the company to reconsider its proposal.
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"My first priority is to fight for jobs in Stockport, so I'll be doing my best to see if they will reverse the decision, but of course it is a private business and it can be challenging," he added.
"There are people from places such as Brinnington and the Heatons who work there, but it's not just Stockport, there are people that come from across Greater Manchester and the north west too, there's 545 jobs which is a lot."
Stockport council leader Mark Hunter has expressed his concerns over Sky's plans to vacate the town amidst a £1bn regeneration project. The project has already seen significant improvements including a £135m transport interchange, new homes and offices, with more developments in the pipeline.
Coun Hunter emphasised the council's efforts to persuade Sky to stay in Stockport. "The potential here is self-evident and well-known, I don't think we've a point to prove about the success of Stockport," he added.
"I think this is a decision being taken by a multinational company that frankly are not that bothered about where their facilities are, and are driven by nothing other than the bottom line.
"But despite all that we will do everything we possibly can to get them to think again.
"I raised this issue at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority on Friday morning, and asked for Andy Burnham's assistance with it as well, so he's going to send a letter of support for the council and has offered to be involved in any meeting with Sky, so we're currently trying to fix that up.
"We're keen to have his support as mayor of Greater Manchester, not all of these people will live in Stockport, they will come from a wider area."
A spokesperson for Sky said: "We're transforming our business to deliver quicker, simpler, and more digital customer service.
"Our customers increasingly want choice, to speak to us on the phone when they need us most and the ease of managing everyday tasks digitally.
"We're investing in a new centre of excellence for customer service, alongside cutting-edge digital technology to make our service seamless, reliable, and available 24/7.
"This is about building a future-ready Sky that continues to put our customers and their needs first."
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