Halifax Bank of Scotland Ireland is to close its branch in Shannon Street as part of nationwide plans to close its Irish business, with the loss of 750 jobs in the Republic. The majority of the job losses, and closures will take effect by this July.

But there is relief for the 380 staff in Shannon who work at credit provision group St Andrew's at the East Park, after it was confirmed that this subsidiary of Halifax is unaffected by the cutbacks.
In a statement, Bank of Scotland Ireland said the Halifax Retail business was too small to succeed in a "shrinking Irish market."

The news represents another blow to the city centre, which has seen its vacant retail units increase dramatically over the last year.

The chief executive of the Limerick Chamber Maria Kelly described the news as "devastating". "When a large company decides to pull out, we are powerless. Unfortunately, Halifax is pulling out of Ireland, so there is nothing we can do.

"But we have to be very concerned here. It would be interesting to do a tally now to see if there are more shops closed than open," she told the Limerick Leader.

Ms Kelly said it was a relief to hear that the 380 jobs at the Halifax subsidiary firm St Andrew's in Shannon were safe, "but it's just no consolation to the 10 people losing their jobs at the worst possible time.

"I just hope they find something else. These people are trained well, and I hope something else is out there for them."

It is understood the employees in Limerick were told by a video link by BoS Ireland chief executive Joe Higgins that their jobs are to go during the next few months. UNITE regional officer Brian Gallagher said the jobs could have been saved if a third banking force were set up.
He has vowed not to give up on the jobs.

"They are too important for the country as a whole for the government to allow them slide away."

There are also to be eight job cuts at the Halifax branch in Ennis.