Ageas Retail, a major UK insurance company, is to close its call centre in Belfast with the potential loss of more than 200 jobs.

The company, which provides non life insurance products, first came to Northern Ireland in 2000 and is based in the Springvale Business Park in west Belfast.

Ageas Retail told employees today that the company would enter a 90 day consultation period with its workforce during which it would examine “any viable options”

Stunned employees said they had been given no advance warning that the call centre was under threat of closure before today.

The Belfast call centre specialised in providing outbound calling services, targeting potential customers for the company’s RIAS and Castle Cover brands.

According to Ageas Retail, which is the second largest motorcycle insurer in the UK and the third largest private car insurer, there has been a significant drop in sales from its Belfast operations over the last two years.

The company said this reflected the changing behaviour of consumers who are becoming “less responsive” to outbound calls.

In a statement Ageas Retail said: “This has led to the difficult situation where the Belfast site has become increasingly uneconomical.

“There will now be a consultation period with employees until June where the proposal and any viable alternatives will be fully explored. If suitable solutions cannot be found, Ageas Retail will do all it can to help employees find alternative employment including the provision of additional outplacement and career services support.”