Trade union Unite is opposed to the closure and says it will have a ‘significant impact’
12:06, 15 Jan 2025Updated 12:10, 15 Jan 2025
Aerial view of the Lloyds Banking Group office in Speke, Liverpool(Image: Google)
Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) will close its large office in Speke in a move that has been described as “completely unjustified and damaging” by a trade union. The site on Leeward Drive in Speke is a large contact centre dealing with fraud and customer services and it employs around 500 staff, but those staff have been told via email today it will close in 2025.
Trade union Unite is opposed to the closure of the Speke office, saying it will have a significant impact on the region’s economy. The union also has concerns for staff who do not wish to or are unable to work from home, who now will have to travel 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.”
A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson told the ECHO: “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 UK to help deliver on our strategy.”
There are no job losses as a result of this decision. The ECHO understands 80% of Lloyds staff based in Speke are working remotely or will be working remotely when the building closes.