That leaves staff with an uncertain future as talks begin to find them work at other centres.

Following a review by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Bennfield House offices in Corporation Street will be one of 14 offices across the West Midlands that will be closed by spring 2011.

The review, which began nationwide in 2006, is part of a major re-
organisation of HMRC after the merger of Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise left the newly formed department with more space than required.
Jane Kennedy, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: "These have not been easy decisions.

"However, the overriding consideration has to be the Department's need to address new and challenging customer demands by restructuring its business and estate in the most effective and efficient way possible."

The new design of the department involves a series of 'clusters' across the country with each remaining site being within 15 miles of each other.

The West Midland cluster will include five sites situated across Coventry, Leamington Spa, Stoke on Trent and Worcester.

Work from the 14 sites set for closure will be re-distributed across the cluster with staff transfers taking place well before each building has been vacated, with no compulsory redundencies being made.

Trade Unions, MP's, Local Authorities , customer group and employees at HMRC were all consulted when coming to the decision.