Virgin Media has announced 500 job losses under a planned shake-up of its UK sites.
The telecoms company, which currently operates from more than 100 locations, said its eight customer service centres would be reduced to four.
The biggest loss would be a major call centre in Swansea, where 800 people currently work, though most roles would transfer, the company said.
The plans would see sites in Wythenshawe, Sheffield, Birmingham and Stockton become the focus for its future customer operations.
Chief executive Tom Mockridge said Virgin Media would be investing £40m in business property over the next three years.
“As part of this programme we intend to create four regional customer operations hubs while also increasing the flexibility of our customer services resources.
“We have also proposed the closure of a small number of our offices over the next two years, including our call centre in Swansea and our current site in Nottingham.
“We will be increasing our presence in Wythenshawe, near Manchester, and refurbishing that site.
“We also propose acquiring a major new building in the Reading/M4 corridor area for our people presently based in Hook, Langley, Slough and Winnersh.
“We also plan to acquire smaller, better sites in Bellshill and Nottingham.”
He added: “We are now working with and supporting all employees who have been asked to relocate, who may be in a role at risk of redundancy or who may wish to take another role with Virgin Media or one of our partners.”
A man claiming he will lose his job under the plans took to Twitter to express his disappointment
John Matthews wrote: “I’ve worked at #virginmedia #Swansea for over 2 years and today’s news is devastating.
More from Business
“A vibrant, award winning center of excellence closing 800 jobs, but I can’t feed my 3 kids on awards. Now I can double down on looking for a career in #eSports #GraphicDesign #GraphicDesigner.” (sic).
Sandra Busby, managing director of the Welsh Contact Centre forum, also said: “I am very disappointed with the news from one of our flagship sites #virginmedia @Welshccf will do everything we can to support their incredibly talented staff and are confident they will be snapped up by other contact centres in the region.”
Source: Sky