HMRC has said it has advanced plans to open one of its first new UK regional centres in Belfast city centre in the next few years.
The announcement was made at MIPIM, the world’s largest international property investment conference in Cannes, where a 70-strong delegation is currently promoting the investment and development opportunities on offer in Belfast to inward investors
It is anticipated that the hub will be based in new, purpose-built offices to accommodate 1,400-1,700 people and will bring hundreds of jobs to the city during and after the development.
The Irish News understands that the new hub will be situated in heart of Belfast city centre, as opposed to previous rumours which placed the new premises at the recent City Quay project at Belfast Harbour.
In November 2015 HMRC proposed to close 137 UK offices, including 10 in the north, and replace them with 13 regional centres by 2027.
The tax authority said all its staff in Northern Ireland, around 1,300 people across 1,000 positions, would be consulted as part of the change which is taking place as part of a modernisation project.
At the time, a spokesman said that there would be no job losses and its workforce would increase as part of the move.
HMRC is currently looking at sites in the city ahead of the move, expected in 2017-18 and the last regional office is expected to close in 2021.
The first office in the north to close was Custom House in Newry, which shut its doors in June last year.
Steven Boyd, estates director from HMRC said the Belfast location was forming part of their strategy to bring their staff together in a smaller number of locations.
"Belfast offers HMRC a compelling proposition – not least in the calibre of its workforce, its excellent location and connectivity to our other regional hubs across the UK, and the superb quality of life that can be enjoyed by our people there," he said.
"Our investment in new office premises in Belfast will create a better working environment for our employees in Northern Ireland and is a demonstration of our long-term commitment to the region."
Offices which will be closing within the next few years include four premises in Belfast, and one each in Derry, Newry, Coleraine and Lisburn.
The last office timetabled to close is the HMRC Derry office at Foyle House in 2021.
