New ownership could cost jobs, says bus station manager
Lancashire County Council agree to take Preston bus station off the hands of the city council with a big price.
PRESTON bus station is set for new owners and a multimillion pound revamp, but at the possible cost of employees, Route Preston can reveal.
Lancashire County Council are putting £8million towards the refurbishment of the grade II listed building after agreeing in principle to take the building over. They are looking to sign the contract by 31st March next year.
Lancashire County Council agree to take Preston bus station off the hands of the city council with a big price.
PRESTON bus station is set for new owners and a multimillion pound revamp, but at the possible cost of employees, Route Preston can reveal.
Lancashire County Council are putting £8million towards the refurbishment of the grade II listed building after agreeing in principle to take the building over. They are looking to sign the contract by 31st March next year.
Mick Tickle, Building, Cleaning and Parking Manager of Preston Bus station, said: “The transfer of ownership will not affect me as it does not form more than 50 per cent. of my work.
“However I will probably be made redundant and the services I manage will be reorganised.” Grants, along with other funding, will provide up to £15million towards the scheme, Lancashire County Council has said. |
Stephen Parkinson, Head of Communications at Preston City Council said: “The county council are committed to investing in the building. It’s going to take a long time, possibly a couple of years. There’ll be no quick fix.”
Though there is no immediate plans for job cuts, there is no guarantee there won’t be either. Mr. Parkinson added: “The staff will be transferred on similar conditions. The only real difference between the two councils is that they pay their staff at different times in the month.
“But who knows. If for example there’s too many security guards, we can’t rule out redundancies. Every authority in the country is looking to make changes and savings.”
Though there is no immediate plans for job cuts, there is no guarantee there won’t be either. Mr. Parkinson added: “The staff will be transferred on similar conditions. The only real difference between the two councils is that they pay their staff at different times in the month.
“But who knows. If for example there’s too many security guards, we can’t rule out redundancies. Every authority in the country is looking to make changes and savings.”