Member Article

Latest round of Swinton branch closures to put 900 jobs at risk

High-street insurer Swinton has announced it is planning to close 84 branches across the UK as more and more consumers opt to do their business online and over the telephone.

The latest round of closures comes after the insurance business announced it was closing a further 130 branches back in February as it continues to restructure its business in light of changing consumer behaviour.

In total, the plans will see up to 900 jobs go at Swinton, with the future of its call centre in Norwich, which employs 183 people, also under review.

The second wave of branch closures will see the insurer shrink its portfolio of stores by half to just 111 UK branches, a figure which Swinton claims will still make it the biggest insurer on the high street.

The move comes as the insurer, which has been operating since 1957, embarks on a £45m investment drive for its digital and phone systems at its head offices and a new call centre in Manchester.

Swinton Chief Executive, Gilles Normand, commented: “Ever since Swinton started selling insurance door-to-door 60 years ago, this business has always evolved – first via branches, then contact centres and increasingly online.

“Our approach today, which is based on a high contact strategy, no longer meets our customers’ needs.

“While branches continue to be an important part of our multi-channel business model, we need to ensure that we can interact with customers whenever, and however, they choose.”