Kingswinford npower site to close

The energy firm says it will leave its base in High Street this year and relocate "some" of its staff.

A company spokesman would not say if jobs were at risk as part of the review being carried out with its parent company RWE.

But staff said they were warned by bosses there could be redundancies and that some employees would be moved to the firm's Worcester base.

Workers said they had been told by bosses that their work would be outsourced, but today the company has denied this.

Meetings with staff have been held and another is expected to take place tomorrow morning.

A total of 284 people are employed at the firm's IT call centre offices. One, who did not want to be named, said: "There are plans to move workers elsewhere and we've been told there could be some job losses.

"People are feeling down about it and I know many are already looking for other jobs."

Another worker said: "People in the office are depressed about it, it's the uncertainty of it all."

It is understood staff were first told about the proposals just before Christmas. Another worker said he believed the offices were going to be split into three and work outsourced.

"I'm a little bit nervous. I've been here six years," he said.

Alexandra Madden, npower spokesman, said: "Following a strategic review of our sites, it was identified that the Kingswinford office will be closing at some stage this year.

"Some of our people will be relocated whilst there is an ongoing review.

"We will update our people first on any changes that will affect them, as they are our number one priority."

Kingswinford Councillor Patrick Harley said he had been contacted by several workers.

He said: "I first heard they were looking at reducing their operations at the offices, and now I'm hearing they are looking to moving everyone out.

"The people I have spoken to are being offered jobs in Worcester."

He added: "It is very disappointing to hear, not only for the hundreds of people who work there but also the nearby businesses who would feel the knock-on effect."

The Kingswinford office is one of six npower bases in the country, which also include Solihull and Worcester.

Chris Kelly, Dudley South MP, this afternoon said he was shocked to learn about the closure and added that he would be contacting the firm to air his concerns.