The building has been home to government jobs in Merseyside since World War Two
A government building that has been home to employees since World War Two is set to remain open for at least another six years after speculation online that people could lose their jobs. Smedley Hydro, a records office on Trafalgar Road in Birkdale, houses the General Register Office for England and Wales as well as other members of staff for government departments and NHS staff.
The former hotel and spa opened following the breakout of World War Two in 1939 and has been home to government staff since, but question marks appeared over the future of the building when Southport MP Patrick Hurley shared a letter he had written to the Government’s Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds. In the letter, he asked him to reconsider shutting the doors of the offices permanently.
In his letter, Mr Hurley wrote: “I am writing regarding the proposed closure of the Smedley Hydro site, by the Government Property Agency. The Smedley Hydro site is one of the largest single employment sites in my constituency. This 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.
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“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 employees would have to leave their roles.”
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In the letter, the MP called for the government to “explore every opportunity” to keep the building open and “keep the jobs in Southport”. He has also asked to meet the Paymaster General to discuss the future of the building.
When approached for clarification, a spokesperson confirmed there are no concrete plans to close the site as of yet, with it being years before a decision is implemented. The government spokesperson told the ECHO: “A decision was taken under the previous government to assess long-term options for the site as part of cost-effective management of the government estate.
“No changes would take place until 2030 at the earliest. An extensive consultation will take place with affected staff ahead of any change.”
