First to close Bury depot

First Manchester has announced a proposal to move operations, including all drivers, from its Bury and Tameside locations to three of its other Manchester based depots. The relocation is part of a strategic review, which is intended to help put the business on a sounder footing and protect jobs in the long term. Its Bury (Rochdale Road) and Tameside (Broadway) sites are to move to its depots in Queens Road, Oldham (Wallshaw Street) and Bolton (Weston Street) facilities. The business currently operates from six depots across the Greater Manchester region. The First Manchester team will shortly commence consultation with the trade union and a 45-day collective consultation process will then begin. If the proposal proceeds as detailed, then the move will be made by April 2017.  Currently, 320 employees work from Bury and 92 from Tameside.

Director of Operations at First Manchester, Adrian Worsfold, said, ‘Over the last two years we have been reviewing our depot network as part of a strategic review designed to make our business a more sustainable one and to help protect jobs in the long term. Our decision to relocate will not impact our customers, they should continue to expect high quality and reliable bus services. My colleagues in Bury and Tameside have done a terrific job and we will ensure that they are fully supported throughout the coming weeks. We have begun communicating with our colleagues and have shared our proposal with the trade unions to ensure their views are considered as part of this process. If the proposal goes ahead, we will of course be doing everything we can to assist those affected by the changes.’