Chair’s statement in response to BT proposal to close Enniskillen contact centre

On Tuesday 14 May 2024, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, received correspondence from Mr. Nick Speed, Head of Nations and Regions, Policy and Public Affairs at BT, to confirm that BT has proposed to close the BT/EE Enniskillen contact centre by 31 October 2024.

In response to the BT correspondence, Councillor O’Reilly, said:

“It was with extreme disappointment that I learned of the decision by BT/EE to propose closing the Enniskillen contact centre by the end of October, with the loss of 300 jobs.

As one of the most significant employers in the area, the closure of the Enniskillen contact centre and resultant job losses will be a huge blow for many people and their families.

The impact of the closure of the contact centre will be felt right across the district and marks another obstacle in our ongoing efforts to address the long-standing regional imbalance and underinvestment in the district.

This announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty and distress for BT/EE employees and will be very upsetting for those affected. I would like to acknowledge the strength shown by those affected over the past number of months as efforts were made to secure the future of the contact centre and save jobs.

Today (15 May 2024) I will be meeting with the interim Economy Minister, Deirdre Hargey MLA, where I will urge the Minister to clarify the bespoke package of support that her Department should provide to those impacted. I will also be reiterating the Council’s concerns in relation to the historical underinvestment in the district.

The Council will seek to ensure that suitable support is provided to those employees affected by job losses.  It will also continue to lobby and engage with relevant government departments and agencies such as Invest NI in relation to the urgent need for investment and further employability supports in the area.”