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Gasworks, Belfast to close in 2025

LBG has today announced the closure of Gasworks, Belfast which will take place at the end of Q1 2025. LBG workers will begin to move over to the new Paper Exchange, Belfast premises from  Q1 2025. The Paper Exchange is a shared premises and located on Chichester Street, Belfast and the bank will occupy the 7th and 8th floor. The site is just over half a mile away from the existing Gasworks, Belfast site. 


For an accessible version of the newsletter, scroll past the images.





Unite appreciate that the Gasworks, Belfast site has been a stalwart amongst the LBG property portfolio for many many years and LBG workers who work there will have many fond and cherished memories, today's news, we know, will cause some shock and understandable sadness. We also know that changes to bank locations no matter how big or small can have an impact on worker commutes and their personal commitments outside of work. The recent announcement to close Newport in South Wales and transfer Cardiff based workers to Newport in the interim is testament to how business led change can cause a lot of inconvenience for hard working staff. 


Your Unite team pressed during consultation talks with the bank that they must do everything possible to mitigate any adverse impact to LBG workers based at Gasworks. We pushed for the bank to arrange for discounted car parking within the vicinity of the new premises given the lack of parking facilities at the Paper Exchange. Whilst we support sustainable initiatives in both premises and in colleague offers/routines, this should never be at LBG worker expense and in addition to discounted car parking we pushed for all additional costs to be covered by the bank in light of this move and the inevitable disruption it will cause workers. Unite are currently lobbying the bank for the below treatment to be implemented for all current and future site changes/closures.


We are asking LBG workers to get in touch to outline the personal inconvenience this change will cause them. Please complete the survey below so we can project your voice to LBG leadership and together we can fight for more support - www.uniteinlbg.org/belfastsurvey Please also provide your views on the current travel and mobility policy, details outlined on the back of this newsletter. In light of the impact this move will cause the bank have arranged for travel consultants to visit Gasworks to assist LBG workers with identifying cost and time effective ways to get to the new Belfast premises.



Unite's ideas for travel and mobility are:

  • All additional travel costs incurred by colleagues to be covered by LBG


  • Shuttle bus to be provided to mitigate colleague travel costs


  • Discounted parking 

  • Travel costs to be covered in perpetuity for all impacted LBG workers


Travel and Mobility Policy review secured! 

LBG workers will have seen or will have been impacted by the Group’s change agenda in 2023. The most significant being the changes to Platforms and the requirement for roles to be based from ‘strategic location’. Inevitably placing a greater burden on  workers to get to these locations, whether that be in travel time or cost.


During the consultation on the changes to Platforms, we secured a commitment from the Group to start discussions in Q1 on the existing T&M policy, so that our concerns about the asks being placed on workers can be taken into account and ensure the policy is adequate in light of continue business change.


Current LBG Travel & Mobility policy  

The travel and mobility policy is in place to address changes in the normal work location for LBG workers. The key principles of Travel Allowance within the policy are outlined below and the full policy can be found on Life@LBG, A-Z and Travel & Mobility Policy. Key aspects of the policy:

  • Travel Cost Allowances payable where a LBG worker incurs additional travel costs as a result of moving work/office location at the request of LBG and the required journey increases by at least 30 mins or ten miles each way

  • Travel Cost Allowance is payable for a max of 12 months from the date of original transfer, or for the duration of the temporary transfer in work location (whichever is lower)

  • Payment is on the basis of the actual additional out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the worker in travelling to the new work location


Help us shape the debate on policy change!

Ahead of these talks with the Group, we want to hear from YOU on the current travel and mobility policy. We want to know what you think should be changed/removed to make it fit for purpose and provide the necessary support to help YOU and fellow LBG workers when facing business led change. Change is a team sport, get involved and let us know your views, thoughts and ideas.  Help us shape the debate on policy change!

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