A NUMBER of council workers and catering staff at the BIC are being made redundant as the centre undergoes its major redevelopment.

Bournemouth council says it is too early to say how many people will be affected by the "temporary changes" to staff levels during the £21 million building project. It is believed the staff affected include a wide selection of workers employed by the council including admin, engineering and bar staff as well as contracted catering staff employed by Red Eventful Cuisine.

But the council's procedure is to re-deploy staff wherever possible and consultation has already begun between staff and trades unions.

Cllr Adrian Fudge, Cabi-net member for Quality Services and Value for Money, said: "Redundancy will only occur as a last resort. It is too soon to predict the exact number that will be involved, although this is likely to be under 10 posts.

"We are always sad to lose any member of staff and are trying to find jobs elsewhere in the council for as many of those affected as possible.

"Dedicated and commit-ted staff are an essential part of the success of any organisation."

Tony Roestenburg, chief executive of the Simply Smart Group, which owns Red Eventful Cuisine, said a number of jobs are safe and two other positions will be filled.

"There are seven people to be made redundant. We have started the formal consultation process."

He said the new staffing structures that will come into effect at the end of the work will result in the creation of new jobs. "If the people who have been made redundant would like to apply for any job we would be happy to see them."

The first phase of the BIC redevelopment which saw the formation of the new Solent Hall has already been completed.

The second phase began on November 8 and saw the closure of the Windsor Hall and the main entrance and foyer. The changes will give the Windsor Hall a capacity of 7,200, making it the largest arena in the South. The BIC will be fully operational by the end of 2005 although work will finish at various stages next year.

Cllr Fudge said: "Over the next year a new staffing structure will take shape at the BIC. It is expected that 1,300 extra jobs will be created directly and indirectly once the new operation is up and running. Some temporary changes to staff will result from the building works."

First published: November 17