Kim Johnson MP said BT’s decision is another example of the “damage caused when decisions are driven by corporate cost-cutting rather than people and communities”
18:52, 10 Jul 2026Updated 19:04, 10 Jul 2026
The Plaza, off Old Hall Street, Liverpool, as seen from Leeds Street(Image: REACH PLC)
Liverpool is set to lose more than 600 jobs after BT Group confirmed a plan to close its city centre office. Union officials said the proposal has “devastated” workers, whose future is now clouded in uncertainty.
The ECHO understands there are currently 601 BT Group employees based at The Plaza building on Old Hall Street. The telecommunications firm also has offices in Manchester and Leeds, and is proposing to move some staff to those locations, but said it recognises those options will not be viable for some staff members.
A BT Group spokesperson said 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.”
The 601 employees impacted by the proposed office closure are made up of BT Business staff, Openreach workers and 999 call handlers, the latter of which account for approximately 100 of the impacted roles. 999 call handlers have been contracted to BT since 2024, all 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.
In relation to the office closure, and the potential for redundancies, the ECHO understands one of the impacted employees raised their concerns to Kim Johnson MP.
When we followed up with Ms Johnson, she told us: “I am deeply disappointed by these proposals and the complete lack of meaningful consultation.
“The prospect of more than [601] jobs being put at risk is simply unacceptable. We cannot underestimate the human impact, including the expectation that hundreds of people potentially uproot their lives.
“This is another example of the damage caused when decisions are driven by corporate cost-cutting rather than people and communities.
“Our city is one of the UK’s fastest-growing digital economies, with outstanding transport links, a highly skilled workforce and world-class universities.
“Liverpool has everything a major employer needs. BT must recognise that, and show the same commitment to Liverpool and its workforce that its employees have shown to the company.”
The ECHO understands that 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.
In relation to this last point, we were told BT made the decision to leave The Plaza building due to the possibility of increased rents. However, the ECHO understand this is not the case, and BT had not entered into negotiations with the landlord about rent prices – making its decision after a “strategic review” into its operations.
On this point, a BT Group spokesperson told us: “BT has been modernising and optimising our estate to ensure our workplaces are fit for the future and provide the best possible environments for our people. As part of this strategy, we are proposing to close our office at the Plaza in Liverpool.”
BT Group said it is engaging with employees, unions, local representatives and MPs, and we will consider all feedback raised as part of the consultation process.
As it stands, BT’s lease agreement at The Plaza will expire in March next year, and the Communications and Workers Union is committed to advocating for its member throughout this time period.