KPMG to close Preston office

Big four accountancy firm KPMG is to close its Preston office at the end of May, TheBusinessDesk has learned.

The closure means that the 75 staff based at Edward VII Quay in Preston will have to either relocate to Manchester or Liverpool.

Redundancy is not being offered and TheBusinessDesk understands that many staff, particularly those who live north of Preston and would find the commute either too expensive or impractical, are already looking for new jobs.

The decision by the firm has come as a result of increased remote and flexible working, coupled with the fact that the office lease is due to expire in early 2018, it said.

A spokesperson for KPMG said: “We remain deeply committed to supporting the business community both in Preston and across Lancashire and Cumbria, which together comprise an important centre for the North West economy, particularly in terms of the aerospace, energy, manufacturing and leisure sectors.

“However, the majority of our client-facing work across the region, particularly audit, is conducted at the premises of the businesses and organisations we support, rather than in a KPMG office.

“Our Manchester and Liverpool offices will provide an operational base for all our staff who work with clients across Lancashire and Cumbria, and we will work closely with them over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition to their new home office.”

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