ASL to cut jobs

Architectural firm Austin-Smith:Lord has announced it is making some redundancies in the practice including at its Manchester and Liverpool offices.

ASL said the consulting process has started with staff at its London office, but wouldn't say how many are going in Liverpool and Manchester.

A spokesperson said: "Austin-Smith: Lord has been aware since mid April that some redundancies in the practice might be necessary as a result of the impending completion of several projects combined with a significant slowing of one major project which was nearing the end of stage D.

"The practice's London studio commenced redundancy procedures as a precaution, placing 55 posts at risk, with realistic expectations that matters would improve and that potential redundancies could be reduced. However, the major project referred to above has suffered further delays outside the control of Austin-Smith: Lord's client, and while this project will certainly continue within the year, its timescale remains uncertain. In view of the numbers involved, and the uncertain timescale, they have had no alternative than to err on the side of caution and progress with some redundancies.

"There has been a 30 day consultation process in the London studio. Through staff involvement they have been able to save a number of posts. Reductions have however been made at all levels through both technical and support disciplines. The final outcome of the process in London has been 33 redundancies.

"A shorter redundancy consultation process is running in Austin-Smith:Lord's remaining UK studios. While there may be some redundancies in the North West they will not be on the same scale as in London."

ASL employs 58 people in Liverpool and 27 in Manchester.

The Liverpool office has worked on a number of projects for Liverpool John Moores University including the £20m Tom Reilly building.

Last year, the practice completed work on the Eccles Primary Care Centre, which expanded and extended the Grade II-listed Carnegie Library in Eccles, Salford.

In 2009, ASL made ten staff redundant across Liverpool and Manchester. More detail on this year's redundancies in the North West is expected to be announced at the end of the week.

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