One of Brighton’s biggest employers is to hold drop-in sessions for neighbours to keep them in touch during major building works.
Staff from American Express in Edward Street, Brighton, called on neighbours earlier this week too.
The moves follow a meeting of the Residents Liaison Group last week when Amex’s vice-president in charge of its European headquarters in Brighton spoke – and listened to residents’ concerns.
Jose Vazquez-Mendez gave a short presentation to the meeting which was held at Carlton Hill Primary School.
The company is currently building a replacement for its landmark Edward Street offices and the work is unsurprisingly causing considerable disruption.
Among those most concerned are those who work from home.
The doorstep fact-finding by Amex staff and the drop-in sessions which start on Monday (8 November) are intended to identify the main problems and ideas for resolving them.
Chris Cooke, chairman of the Residents Liaison Group, said: “Slowly but surely we are turning a corner and Amex is making real efforts to engage with residents who live around the construction site.
“I was delighted when the head of Amex in Brighton did a short presentation outlining the steps that his team will be taking.
“It was no small feat getting the boss to our meeting.
“This engagement by Amex staff and the results of their findings will be fed back to the next RLG meeting on Wednesday 24 November.
“This is a good result for the area and really shows that Amex does care and that it wants to be very much part of the community.
“It’s a small step but a significant one and I can only applaud it as chair – I’ve personally pushed hard to achieve this.”
The news comes as two workers on the site of the new offices were hurt in an accident.
It is believed that both men were knocked out by a steel pole which fell on their heads and cracked their protective helmets.
One of the men is believed to have suffered a broken arm.
They were treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital just along the road in Eastern Road, Brighton.
