It is true, I was on the call.
Allstate have 3 sites in Northern Ireland, Belfast, Derry and Strabane. Consider Belfast as 'head office'. Belfast is approx 70 miles from Derry.
Derry and Strabane are within 20 miles of each other. I know for a fact that upper management in Belfast believe Strabane to be a waste of money, it is not financially viable and is only kept open due to Government handouts. There is a 'snobbery' in Belfast re Strabane, it is a low income working class town and the Allstate site is a 24/7 shop serving tech support for Allstate Agents. Belfast management have trouble filling positions in Strabane and are often heard to say that it is hard enough getting employees to work 9-5 never mind 24/7.
Derry currently has 2 sites due to running out of space. So currently 3 sites within 20 miles of each other. A 'sitting duck' as regards cutting costs.
When this C19 pandemic settles down then Allstate are also building a brand new site in Derry in an area known as 'Ebrington'. The plan is to move all 3 sites to this new shop which means closing Strabane.
Of course not everyone in Strabane will want to commute to Derry so will be offered redundancy. Yes it's only 20 miles but many of the employees do not even have cars, they can walk to work in Strabane. All part of the plan.
As regards the Strabane lease then a lease can be bought out of easily, it will be pocket money to Allstate.
Thank me later.