Staff in a Basingstoke holographics office are set to face a choice between redundancy and potential relocation to Bolton.

Relocation has been offered as the only alternative to redundancy for 100 workers at one of Basingstoke’s biggest employers.

The De La Rue Holographics Office on the Daneshill Industrial Estate is set to close. It is one of the main employers in the area and therefore, the closure could have serious consequences for the area.

There is hope for a number of the employees involved though. Plans have been established to relocate to new premises in Westhoughton, near Bolton.

For the staff involved, this represents a real dilemma. Either they could take on the big move North with the company, or search for employment closer to home.

A spokesperson for the company said “De La Rue confirms that it is currently proposing to relocate two of its UK sites. This proposal is subject to employee consultation and the process is now underway.”

Union representatives from the company Unite responded by saying they were holding talks with the employees involved about all options available, including a potential relocation.

“Unite will be working hard to get the best deal possible for our members facing redundancy and also be exploring the company’s offer of relocation opportunities to other plants across the UK”, said Unite spokeswoman Louisa Bull.

“De La Rue has indicated that it wishes to undertake the changes over the next 18 months”, continued Bull.

The company, which prints money for over 150 countries, announced earlier this year that profits were down by 25% in 2011 and it was looking to save £30 million over the next three years.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Group Leader Paula Baker said she massively regretted the loss of local jobs. “It is a shame that part of their operations will be moving as times are already hard and the loss of jobs will be strongly felt.”

For the employees involved, the one consolation is that a relocation option is likely to be offered.

One thing is for certain, there are some difficult choices ahead for those involved.