Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) has confirmed the upcoming closure of its large Speke office, a move met with strong criticism from trade unions as "completely unjustified and damaging". The facility located on Leeward Drive in Speke, which provides contact centre services for customer support, is home to some 500 employees who were informed via email on Wednesday that the site is set to close this year.
Unite the Union says the decision will hit the local economy and will affect employees unable or unwilling to work from home, as they would face commutes to the bank's Chester office.
Unite national officer Dominic Hook said: "The proposed closure of the large Lloyds Banking Group centre in Liverpool Speke is a huge mistake. The impact on the hundreds of staff and the region will be significant and is wholly unnecessary.
"The impact of the longer commute to Chester for colleagues is huge. While some workers in Speke do currently work from home, a substantial number still do need to travel into the centre for work.
"The refusal of LBG to open an alternative Liverpool office is completely unjustified and damaging. Poor communication of the site closure has added insult to injury, with management telling staff of the decision by email.
"The loss of important jobs from Liverpool is a blow. Unite wants to see Lloyds Banking Group maintain its presence in the city and ensure that those who work in its Liverpool office continue to have a safe local facility to do their jobs.", reports .
Lloyds Banking Group responded: "In line with our commitment to enhancing our property estate, we are creating fewer, better-equipped, modern and sustainable offices to suit the future of our business. As part of this, we are building hubs and communities in key locations across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ to help deliver on our strategy.
No job losses will occur as a result of the closure. Approximately 80% of Lloyds' Speke-based employees already work remotely or plan to do so once the building closes.
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