Belgian insurance major Ageas is planning to close its offices in Port Solent and Trentham Lakes as more customers are buying insurance policies online.
It is estimated that the decision will affect more than 400 jobs.
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The insurer in a statement said: “We have decided it makes sense to prioritise the sites that we own in Eastleigh, Bournemouth and Gloucester, and retain leased offices in the major cities of London and Manchester.
“Unfortunately, Port Solent and Stoke do not fit this new plan. Therefore, we are intending to transfer all operations from Port Solent to Eastleigh.”
The Stoke-on-Trent office will shut in June 2020 and a 45-day consultation for the affected staff is currently underway.
“We have started a consultation process about transferring our employees by the end of June 2019. We are also consulting with our employees in our Stoke office over our intention to close this site by June 2020,” the statement added.
Additionally, Ageas is planning to shut down its sales and service operation in Eastleigh from 1 April 2019 and to combine this operation into its Gloucester office.
Ageas offers motor, home and travel insurance in the UK.
