Workers in Liverpool are facing 'uncertainty and distress' as hundreds of jobs are set to be moved out of the city. BT Group has confirmed plans to close its city centre office at The Plaza on Old Hall Street, prompting an intervention from Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.
The ECHO understands there are currently 601 BT Group employees based at The Plaza. The telecommunications firm also has offices in Manchester and Leeds and is proposing to move some staff to those locations, but it recognises those options will not be viable for some staff members.
A BT Group spokesperson said last week that some employees may be offered relocation packages or discretionary enhanced redundancy, adding: "We are working closely with impacted colleagues, with some proposed to move to other locations. We will continue to support all our colleagues throughout this change."
Impact on Emergency Services and Workforce
The 601 employees impacted by the proposed office closure are made up of BT Business staff, Openreach workers and approximately 100 999 call handlers. These call handlers have been contracted to BT since 2024 as part of a £1.29bn deal with the Home Office to provide mobile services for the Government’s Emergency Services Network.
BT Group's plan to leave The Plaza building was communicated to staff on June 30, and the consultation process is scheduled to start on July 20. The company made the decision due to the possibility of increased rents. The ECHO understands a 'conversation' took place with the landlord in 2025, but there were no official negotiations.
Political and Union Response
As a result of the proposed office closure, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Kim Johnson MP and Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson have co-signed a letter to BT, asking it to reconsider any move out of Liverpool and highlighting the availability of alternative premises.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Liverpool has been part of BT’s success story for generations, which is why news of the proposed closure of its Liverpool office and the potential loss of hundreds of jobs will come as a bitter blow to workers, their families and our wider city region. Businesses have every right to make commercial decisions, but they also have a responsibility to the communities and workforces that have helped them grow. Decisions of this scale shouldn’t be taken lightly and they shouldn’t be made without properly considering the impact on the people and the wider economy being affected.”
Rotheram added: “Our region has a highly skilled workforce, first-class digital infrastructure and a strong track record in supporting major employers. That’s why I've written to BT's leadership urging them to think again and to work with us, local partners and the CWU to explore every possible option for retaining jobs and maintaining a significant presence in Liverpool. Too often, decisions like this are made in boardrooms a long way from the people who will live with the consequences. The workforce deserves to know that every avenue has been explored before such a major employer walks away from the negotiating table.”
Union Advocacy and Next Steps
BT Group said it is engaging with employees, unions, local representatives and MPs and will consider all feedback raised as part of the consultation process. A BT Group spokesperson said: “We recognise the concerns raised regarding our proposal for our Liverpool office and we take these seriously. We will continue to support all our colleagues throughout this change.”
As it stands, BT's lease agreement at The Plaza will expire in March next year. The Communications and Workers Union (CWU) is committed to advocating for its members throughout this time period. The union has called on BT Group to keep jobs in Liverpool, with CWU Deputy General Secretary Karen Rose adding: “Decisions like this should always consider the real impact on frontline employees and their families. Changes such as redundancy or relocation can cause distress, uncertainty and disruption. These employees work hard every day and are key to BT’s success. The CWU believe that it is economically viable for BT to maintain a presence in Liverpool and that is the best outcome for staff and service users. We are fully behind our members pushing for this to happen.”
