All employees at Barclaycard’s Partner Finance operations centre in Glasgow were told yesterday of the proposed cuts with the work being transferred to the firm’s base in Cardiff and other UK centres.

The Glasgow branch comprises an office and call centre at the Academy Park industrial estate in Gower Street, Dumbreck, in the city’s south side.

The company says all staff at the centre will be affected.

Barclaycard has operated the centre since 2000, when it took a 90% stake in Clydesdale Financial Services, a subsidiary of Barclays Bank.

It handles loans arranged at point of sale in shops, including for cars and electrical goods, and for partners including Magnet, Everest, Homebase.

Officials said the move was part of Barclaycard’s “ongoing programme of improving business efficiency and service to customers” and that they would “consult fully with staff” before a final decision is made by mid-March.

Discussions on retraining, redeployment and support will be held and staff will remain in their jobs while the consultation is under way.

Neil Radley, managing director of international consumer lending at Barclaycard, said: “I understand that this proposal is difficult for the colleagues potentially impacted.

“I am speaking to employees today to explain our plans and tell them we will make a comprehensive package of advice and support available to them if the proposals go ahead.

“I consider that this is the right strategy in the context of the highly competitive industry in which we operate.”

The move is the latest blow to Glasgow’s financial services sector. In September, Royal Bank of Scotland announced plans is to close two city centre call centres with 250 job losses. The bank hoped to redeploy 180 staff to sites in other parts of the country.

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “This is disappointing news and we hope that any affected staff receive the required advice and support throughout the consultation period.”

Meanwhile, a series of shops run by a leading Bible charity is up for sale with the threat of nearly 500 job losses.

Wesley Owen is the latest publishing-related company to suffer from the economic downturn following the collapse of Borders Books.

The business has six book stores across Scotland including one in Glasgow.