Resort Jobcentres to merge and move, bosses announce

The cost-cutting measure comes as more people attend only for pre-arranged appointments, instead preferring to do their job hunting online or over the phone.

Bosses are in talks with town hall officials about the proposal, which would see staff from branches in Queen Street and Tyldesley Road move into the Municipal Buildings in Corporation Street – distances of 0.2 miles and one mile respectively.

Employer and partnerships manager, Karl Worsley, said no jobs will be lost, and reassured job-seekers it remains ‘business as usual’ for now.

He said: “I don’t think it will be a case of next month the place will be gone.

“We will inform customers every step of the way as things start to unravel and things impact on them.”

In 2013, the branch on Tyldesley Road, behind the Foxhall pub on the Promenade, was dedicated to helping 16 to 25 year olds.

At the time, the move was hailed by Blackpool Council’s then cabinet member for youth employment, Coun Chris Maughan, who said: “When we spoke to young people, many of them were intimidated by the older customers using the Jobcentre in Queen Street.

“We’re committed to helping get young people back into work, and having a dedicated Jbocentre especially for them will make a difference in helping achieve them.”

Blackpool Council has been approached for a comment.