Communication Workers Union issue this statement as BT announces planned closure of EE's Doxford Park office
The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is working with staff at EE in Doxford Park after BT chiefs confirmed yesterday (March 24) that they are planning to close their Sunderland based office.
BT took over telecommunications company EE in 2016 in a £12.5m deal.
After being contacted by the Echo, BT chiefs confirmed the disappointing news which will affect over 460 workers who are employed at the Doxford Park site.
BT also stated that “most colleagues” will have the opportunity to move to other “nearby locations”, with one employee who contacted the Echo stating offices in Darlington and Newcastle as possible transfers.
Following the news, a CWU representative said: "Our union is aware of the situation at Doxford Park in Sunderland and are working on the ground to ensure the best possible outcome for our members."
The representative also confirmed he is working to support members facing a similar situation with an EE planned closure in the North West.
Confirming the planned closure, a BT spokesperson said: “As part of BT’s ongoing strategy to optimise our office estate and unlock value as part of our modernisation programme, we are proposing to close our Doxford contact centre.
“This change will allow BT to continue to reinvest in spaces that better support our future ways of working and will provide our colleagues with a significantly improved work environment.
“We will continue to support all our colleagues at Doxford Park throughout these changes.”
An employee who contacted the Echo but wished to remain anonymous said the current proposed closing date is October 31 (2026) and that staff were informed yesterday afternoon (March 24) before being sent home.
EE serves 25 million customers across the UK, providing mobile and broadband coverage.
The company claims to have the UK’s most reliable network and were the first to launch 5G in 2019.
The news of the proposed closure is another blow to the city’s workforce. In January, Berghaus confirmed plans to relocate a number of its roles to its new hub in London, away from their current headquarters in Sunderland.
This follows on from over 100 employees in Sunderland losing their jobs after RSA Insurance group confirmed in October (2025) it was closing its More Than insurance site office in Doxford Park.
The CWU is the biggest union for call centre workers in the country.