Autoglass is consulting on the closure of its entire 100-branch network to cut cost and refocus as a mobile repairer dedicated to taking its service direct to customers.

It currently employs more than 1,000 technicians, back-office and call centre staff in the UK. Abandoning the centre network could leave 179 branch-based customer service workers and managers facing redundancy, reports the Daily Mirror.

Autoglass said: “We strive to constantly evolve our business model to ensure that we continue to offer the best possible service to our customers.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to customer service and quality, we have been reviewing our operational processes to ensure that we deliver the level of service expected by our customers now and in the future.

“As part of this review, we’ve identified opportunities to bring our service closer to customers and have concluded that the role of our branch network as a customer service centre may no longer be required in order for us to provide an efficient service to our customers."

The company has entered a formal consultation process with 179 staff whose roles would be directly affected by this change.

The closures are expected to go ahead next March.