Barclays shelves relocation plan

Barclays employs 123,000 workers worldwide

Barclays Bank has dropped a plan to move its offices within Dorset.

The bank said it had decided to remain at Barclays House in Poole, rather than move to a new building scheduled for development in West Quay Road, Poole.

A review showed the costs had "significantly changed" since its announcement in May 2007, it added.

Barclays said it expected to retain 800 to 900 staff in Poole up to 2010. Union Unite said the bank should clarify whether jobs would go after that.

We cannot have a situation where staff have no faith that they will have a job in two years time Graham Goddard, Unite union

Last May, the bank announced it would cut 1,100 workers over the next three years across the UK.

A spokeswoman for Barclays said: "Today's announcement does not impact on the initiatives also announced in May 2007 aimed at improving the efficiency of the bank's support functions.

"Barclays will continue to keep its property options under review and remains committed to the region."

The bank, which employs 123,000 people across the world, said it was hoping to cut costs by automating many tasks, such as payment processing.

Graham Goddard, from Unite Deputy General Secretary said: "Unite want Barclays to stop playing games with their workforce and make their plans for the 900 staff in Poole clear.

"We cannot have a situation where staff have no faith that they will have a job in two years time.

"The employees will be stunned to hear that the company have now done a U-turn on their plans for Poole."