Lloyds Banking Group is set to close one of its biggest offices in the UK following its recent wave of bank branch closures. The group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax, Bank of Scotland and Scottish Widows, is shutting down its large base of operations in Speke, Liverpool.
Unite the Union has slammed the decision as a “huge mistake” and is calling the banking group to reconsider this business move which impacts around 500 members of staff.
According to the union, employees have been informed that the bank will no longer have an office in Liverpool and that they must travel to Chester. The office in question is home to Lloyds’s fraud and customer service team.
Concerns have been raised for impacted staff members who are unable to work from home following the move and those who will be required to travel an additional distance.
On behalf of concerned employees, Unite shared that some people will have to add an hour to their commute and many loyal workers wish to remain in Liverpool if possible.
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Lloyds Banking Group is being accused of making a “huge mistake” when it comes to its latest closure announcement
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Unite national officer Dominic Hook explained: “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 Lloyds Banking Group 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.”
The bank has slashed the number of branches it operates in recent years
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A Lloyds Banking Group spokesperson told GB News : “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.”
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