Clevedon community reacts to Clerical Medical 500 job bombshell
Clerical Medical, by far the biggest employer in Clevedon, told staff on Tuesday its Castlewood office on Tickenham Road will close later this year.
It is a move feared since its parent company HBOS was rescued by Lloyds TSB in the desperate £12 billion takeover last year which resulted in the creation of the Lloyds Banking Group.
While the majority of staff are thankful 540 jobs are being transferred to the firm's Bristol headquarters, some 30 posts will be axed, on top of 115 job cuts announced in April.
Nevertheless the suddenness of the announcement has left staff and the wider community in a state of shock.
Woodspring MP Dr Liam Fox said it was a devastating blow to Clevedon and North Somerset as a whole.
He said: "It is terrible news for the town."
"Not only are we losing 540 jobs currently located in Clevedon but the amount of traffic added to the already busy roads going to Bristol will be awful.
"There will also be an effect on other nearby businesses losing customers.
"It is yet another sign of the dire economic state the country is in."
One employee, who did not wish to give her name, said the move will cause great problems to staff, many of whom work part-time and balance their hours around the school run.
She said: "It's a pain that we will have to travel into Bristol but at least most of us still have a job, and that is certainly worth something in the current climate.
"It's not such good news for Clevedon generally though – not only will there be another empty commercial building, but I'm sure the staff helped the local economy along, with shopping and lunches at the pubs.
"Looking at the bigger picture, it won't help the area environmentally, with many more cars trailing in and out of the city."
Clevedon Town Council chairman Jon Middleton said: "I think it has probably been on the cards for a while, but we will be very sorry to see this happen for Clevedon."
Clevedon Chamber of Trade and Commerce president David Hendey said: "It can only have an adverse affect on Clevedon as there will be 500 fewer bodies in Clevedon.
"It has to be a downside across the board, a body blow to ongoing employment and will make Clevedon more of a dormitory town.
"It would be interesting to hear the rationale for it."
It is understood the move will be phased over the next six months and Clerical Medical bosses have tried to paint a picture of the move being a positive opportunity for staff, but that will come as cold comfort to many.
John Van Der Wielen, the firm's managing director, said: "We are committed to excellent customer service.
"It's the right decision to move these two customer service operations under one roof.
"These plans have been put together thoughtfully with the best outcome for our colleagues in mind.
"Clerical Medical is committed to our flagship Bristol head office and is a significant employer in Bristol and the South West.
"Harbourside is a great place to work, with its riverside restaurant, gym and staff social facilities."
Clive Webster, deputy general secretary of the Accord union, said: "It is always a very sad day when the Lloyds Banking Group closes an office.
"We have been working to ensure as many of our members as possible get re-deployed and their work-life balance and working hours are protected through our job security agreement.
"Thankfully there are more opportunities in Bristol for re-deployment than in many areas of the country but of course this is still going to be very difficult for some members."
The company has agreed to offer a staff travel allowance for two years to help ease employees' difficulties in getting to Bristol.
The Castlewood office opened amid great fanfare in 1992 on the site of the former Hales Factory site and brought valuable white collar jobs to the town.
But the future of the large office is now uncertain, with the company saying it will look to sell it on the open market.
Clerical Medical's Castlewood HQ
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