A total of 12 workers were suddenly sacked from their roles at a number of apartment complexes around Liverpool
A total of 12 workers were suddenly sacked from their roles at a number of apartment complexes around Liverpool
00:01, 05 Apr 2026
A cleaner has told of the “devastating” moment she was dismissed from her job at a Liverpool apartment block and told to leave the premises immediately. Earlier this week the ECHO revealed how 12 concierge and cleaning staff had been dismissed from their roles working at a number of flat blocks around the city.
The workers were based at developments including Parliament Place in Toxteth, flat blocks at Wolstenholme Square and Norfolk House in the Baltic Triangle.
They had been employed by a company called SM Block Management, who informed them when they turned up for work last month that they were being dismissed from their roles.
A letter seen by the ECHO from SM Block Management, explained that the company “no longer has the contract to supply” on-site staff.
Now one cleaner who was dismissed last month has spoken to the ECHO on the condition of anonymity.
She said she had worked at one of the flat blocks in question for a number of years and had become friends with other workers and residents alike.
She said she turned up for work as usual on Tuesday, March 24 but after an hour was contacted by her manager who said he needed to speak to her.
She explained: “He came to see me and had a letter in his hand, which I thought didn’t look good.
“He was very apologetic as he told me I was being made redundant. I was then told I needed to hand over my keys and leave the building straight away.
“It was all very sudden and I was devastated. There was no warning and no consultation. I had worked there for a long time.”
She added: “It is horrible to come into work of a morning and then be told to leave the building immediately.”
The woman says she has received a redundancy settlement and five weeks’ of wages but is very worried about her situation and the prospect of finding a new job.
She added: “Work is really hard to find at the moment. This has left me feeling really upset. I have tried to reach out to my manager but haven’t had a response.”
In December, the ECHO reported how people living in flats at both Wolstenholme Square and Parliament Place were living in fear after being told that the buildings were “high risk” for fires, with waking watch patrols put in place.
Documents leaked to the ECHO show the city centre buildings were fitted with similar combustible materials to those blamed for spreading the flames which engulfed the Grenfell Tower, in which 72 people were killed.
Now residents living in these blocks say they are concerned after long-standing front-of-house staff were removed from their jobs.
One resident of Wolstenholme Square, who asked not to be named, told us: “This has caused serious concern amongst residents and staff alike. There are significant questions about whether a fair redundancy process or dismissal was followed.”
The leaseholder said the move is “particularly alarming” considering the ongoing safety issues at the flat blocks, suggesting that those working in front-of-house roles, who are now being replaced, had long-standing knowledge of the buildings and the issues within them.
They added: “Removing experienced site staff and replacing them with people unfamiliar with the buildings creates, at the very least, a serious perceived risk to resident safety and building management standards.
“We regularly spoke to the staff as they did a good job. If there were any issues, they would always help and have done for years.”
The ECHO has made several attempts to contact both SM Group Block Management Ltd but has received no response.
