Mobile network operator EE is set to close a contact centre in Greenock, affecting hundreds of staff.
The phone provider, which is part of the BT Group, is consulting on plans to close down the centre and move over 400 members of staff to a site in Glasgow.
STV News understands there are currently no plans to cut or put jobs at risk.
Previously the site near Custom House Quay on Main Street housed staff of T-Mobile, which merged with EE in 2015, but is understood to be no longer fit for purpose.
The company has said any staff not within a “commutable distance” from Greenock to the office at Alexander Bain House in York Street will be “consulted about their options” including reskilling, redeployment into another role or redundancy.
Additional travel costs will be discussed with those staff who are eligible, it is understood.
Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council has welcomed jobs not being cut but says the local economy will take a hit.
He said: “While we are of course relieved that there will be no redundancies ensuring continued employment for the Greenock-based workforce, the potential loss of the contact centre is very concerning.
“EE is one of Inverclyde’s largest employers and the Greenock office has been a key site for the company, in one guise or another, for almost 25 years.
“The closure of such a large premises that supports hundreds of staff after such a long period of time would undoubtedly put greater pressure on the local economy and have a knock-on effect for local businesses, would result in loss of income for the area, and potentially lead to further depopulation.
“We will appeal to EE directly to reconsider their proposal to close the Greenock site and raise our concerns and explore what alternatives there are to try and maintain a presence in Inverclyde as a valued and long-standing employer.
“Our powers are of course limited so greater government support will be required and we will also engage directly with government to see what help is available.”
The BT Group supports nearly 15,000 jobs across Scotland and says the move can develop the careers of staff.
A BT Group spokesperson said: “We’re consulting with colleagues and trade unions on our proposed plan to relocate colleagues at our Greenock contact centre to our flagship Glasgow office, which has recently undergone a multi-million pound upgrade.
“Around 2,000 colleagues are already based at our Glasgow office, which includes all parts of BT Group, allowing colleagues many opportunities to develop their careers across the company.
“BT Group continues to make record investments in Scotland’s infrastructure, including in Inverclyde, helping to transform and futureproof the nation’s digital economy.
“Our 5G EE network now covers all of Scotland’s major cities and beyond and our 4G network covers 76% of Scotland, which is more than any other network.
“We have also announced a significant investment in a brand new contact centre in Dundee, securing 1,000 jobs for the city, which is due to open later this year.”
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