AROUND 100 people have been made redundant as BP’s West Swindon Castrol office closed, the Adver understands.

A source who wanted to remain anonymous said that while BP employees are being transferred to the company’s global head office in Pangbourne, sub-contracted staff will not be moved.

He said: “They’re quite upset. The customer service department, along with security, post, maintenance, and catering are all sub-contracted out and being made redundant once the office closes.

“I’ve been made redundant before in Swindon so I know how it feels, it’s not nice.

“It will be a shock to them, especially with the way things are at the moment with other businesses leaving town, but they have known it was temporary work since they moved there a few years ago.”

The oil giant bought Burmah Castrol in 2000 for £3bn. Originally based near Old Town, in offices since taken over by Nationwide, the firm moved to Lydiard Fields near Junction 16 of the M4 in 2016.

A BP spokesman said the decision to shut the Swindon offices had followed a review of “under-utilised office space in southern England”.

Ricky Hunt was managing director of Burmah when the Burmah Castrol group worked out of Wakefield House.

He said: “I’m not surprised it’s closing because a lot of businesses are consolidating but it’s sad because it has been in the town for a very long time.

“I have fabulous memories of the whole environment, the people, the job and the company as a whole. It was my favourite corporate job.

“I was there for five years and it was a lovely place to work, the staff were incredible.

"When I left to set up my own petrol business, I wanted to stay in Swindon because of the staff there. It was great.”

Leader of Swindon Borough Council David Renard said: “Lots of companies at the moment are consolidating their offices and moving out. But on the other side of the coin, we have Zurich which is bringing staff here after closing offices elsewhere, so it’s happening both directions.

“I imagine they are looking at ways of reducing overheads which any good business should do. The council has been doing this for some time by moving staff into Wat Tyler House.

“Given how strong Swindon’s economy is, I would hope a growing or existing business will take up the office soon but we will have to see.”