Jobs lost as 118-118 call centre set to close

THE 118-118 directory enquiries centre in Plympton, Plymouth, is set to close in June with the loss of 180 jobs.

The business, has begun a 90-day consultation period, and is offering workers voluntary redundancy.

Some members of staff will be given the opportunity to apply for jobs at 118-118’s South Wales call centres. The Plymouth centre opened in 2003 employing 300 staff, but numbers have declined in the last year.

Legacy information services have been in decline for some time as customers are increasingly using the internet – even mobile which had been a strong performer for directory assistance players is now succumbing to the lure of online search, as people increasingly use mobile internet ready smart phones.

118-118 spokesman William Ostrom said: "They (staff) weren't necessarily surprised - we have reduced numbers somewhat in the past year - but it's been quite a shock. They've done a fantastic job, so I think they're shocked and inevitably they face the prospect of losing their jobs, which nobody welcomes."

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