Smedley Hydro records office in Southport is facing closure, putting substantial numbers of local jobs at risk.
The former hotel building, on Trafalgar Road in Birkdale, houses the General Register Office, HMPO, Home Office and NHS Digital Staff.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley has written to the Government’s Paymaster General, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, urging him to reconsider the closure.
It is not known how many jobs would be lost.
Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “I’m very concerned about the proposed closure of the Smedley Hydro site in my constituency, one of the largest employment sites.
“I have written to the Paymaster General to outline my concerns and to support keeping these jobs in Southport.”
In the letter, he added: “The Smedley hydro site is one of the largest employment sites in my constituency.
“The site is of significant value to both the local community and the local economy in Southport, the majority of those employed on this site are my constituents.
“I’m concerned about the way this was communicated to staff with no clear picture of their future.
“The site is currently home to the General Register Office, HMPO, Home Office and NHS Digital Staff.
“If this site was to leave Southport many staff would have to leave their roles.
“The Smedley Hydro has housed government employees continuously since the Second World War. The site is of significant historical interest to the people of Southport.
“I would ask that the Government Property Agency explore every opportunity to keep this site open and to keep these jobs in Southport rather than relocate them due to the potential harm this will cause.
“I would be grateful if you could meet with me to discuss the future of this site and keeping these jobs in Southport.”
Southport councillor Mike Sammon said: “I echo Patrick Hurley’s concerns. The closure of the Smedley Hydro site would be devastating for our community. I have friends who work here, it seems everyone in Southport knows someone who works at Smedley. We have to keep it open and keep the jobs local, not relocated.”
The General Register Office for births, deaths and marriages was relocated from London to the Smedley Hydro site in Southport in 1991.
Smedley Hydro is a former Victorian hydropathic spa and hotel. The building has been used as a college, hydropathic spa, and hotel and is currently the home of the General Register Office for England and Wales.
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