A banking call centre that previously employed over 800 people in Skelmersdale is shutting down after five decades of operation.
The Co-Operative Bank offices will relocate from its longstanding base at Delf House next year, with employees either being moved to alternative locations or directed to work remotely.
The bank said it would collaborate closely with personnel to "ensure they are supported through this transition".
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However, one frustrated worker : "There are people who have given their working life to the bank even 30+ years who will now simply have to leave because home-working is not suitable for them."
The Co-operative Bank's administrative and call centre operations have functioned from Delf House on Southway since 1976, and it was traditionally Skelmersdale's biggest employer, reports .
In 1980, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Healey, officially opened the Co-Operative Bank Customer Services Bureau.
The building itself belongs to West Lancashire Borough Council, and features a brutalist-style design owing to its conversion from a former multi-storey car park.
In 2013 the Co-Operative Bank revealed proposals to merge its two Skelmersdale locations, with administrative personnel from the nearby Pennylands offices being moved to Delf House.
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The call centre has stayed within the original building since then, though this is set to change in June next year. Due to "a significant preference for working from home", the bank has revealed its decision to terminate its lease with West Lancashire Borough Council, given that "less than 10%" of staff stationed at Delf House utilise the office regularly.
A spokesman said: "We want to provide the very best workplaces for our colleagues and to support this vision, we have announced that we've made the difficult decision to end the lease on our Skelmersdale office, gradually moving out by June 2026.
"Impacted colleagues have the option to work from home or our expanded Manchester city centre office which we are investing in.
"Our analysis of colleagues' working preferences at the Skelmersdale site showed that less than 10% of those based there use the office on a regular basis, suggesting a significant preference for working from home.
"No roles will be made redundant as part of this relocation. We'll be working closely with every individual to understand their needs and ensure they are supported through this transition."
An employee at the Co-Operative Bank confirmed colleagues were briefed about the decision on October 8.
They told the Liverpool Echo: "Staff will be forced to work from home or Manchester or choose to leave. There are people who have given their working life to the bank even 30+ years who will now simply have to leave because home-working is not suitable for them.
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"Public transport in Skelmersdale is dire, it would take over two hours to get to Manchester with bus and train as there's no train station or for those that can drive, a drive of one hour plus on a good day, then parking costs within the city as Balloon Street (where The Co-operative Bank's head office is located in Manchester) doesn't have a car park.
"No option of redundancy for those that don't want to or can't work from home. A main concern amongst staff is isolation impacting their mental health if they had to work from home. This will impact the wider economy as co-op is a large employer in the area with the loss of the daily spending from the hundreds of staff."