'I'm not surprised': G4S depot in Northampton to close as security giant cuts more than 1,000 jobs in UK

G4S' depot in Northampton is closing after the security giant announced it is cutting more than 1,000 jobs from its cash-handling business in the UK.

The 68 workers at the Cliftonville Road site were told the news by bosses on a conference call this morning (Monday, July 13).

One of the employees, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Chronicle & Echo: "I’m not surprised about the decision.

"Our jobs depend on the high street banking and retail sector doing well and the use of cash.

"Obviously with a lot less cash being used, the work can be handled by fewer branches.

"Unfortunately, Northampton is very close to another larger branch in Leicester.

"I’m financially in a good position and have transferable skills and consider myself very employable so am not too troubled.

"However, there are many employees who will struggle to find alternative employment in the current market."

Around 80 per cent of work for the cash industry was lost when the coronavirus lockdown started, according to the GMB union.

Approximately half of G4S' staff were furloughed while the Northampton site and three others were mothballed with all remaining work transferring to other depots.

The Northampton depot worker said bosses hoped to reopen it on July 1 but this never happened, while the target is to make people redundant when the furlough scheme ends on October 31.

G4S is cutting 1,150 jobs across the country after a review of its cash solutions arm, made up mostly of van drivers which pick up and deliver cash to businesses.

Managing director Paul van der Knaap said: "Following a review of our cash solutions operational footprint in the UK, we are proposing to reshape the business to better align it with the changing needs of our customers.

"Regrettably this will result in a reduction in headcount, and today we have entered into a period of consultation with affected staff.

"We are working closely with unions and individuals to offer opportunities for redeployment within the group."

GMB national officer Roger Jenkins warned the 'step towards a cashless society' will cost thousands of jobs, damage the lives of the elderly and the vulnerable as well as small and medium enterprises.

“These cuts are devastating for our members and their families. GMB will fight to the end for every single job," he said.

“They are also another worrying step towards a cashless society – the cash industry really is on a knife-edge.

"The collapse of the cash industry could have a terrible impact on the elderly and most vulnerable and wreak havoc on small and medium enterprises which rely on cash transactions.

“GMB is calling on the Government to take action to protect the cash industry and all those who will be hit hard is it disappears.”