Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC), operator of Flow and LIME, has given nine locations the boot following the merger between the two telecommunications companies.

In responding to concerns raised by the Jamaica Observer as to the number of persons affected by the closures, LIME stated, “Several persons are affected by the changes, but it is difficult to give exact numbers as new positions are being created in the organisation as we continue to define our structure.”

“Impacted team members will have an opportunity to apply for these jobs,” the e-mail continued. “During this integration process, the company is working closely with its employees, affected retailers and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition while enabling its customer vision under the new brand.”

In a notice to the public, titled ‘Store consolidation’, CWC stated that on August 22 it permanently closed two of its LIME locations – Fairview, Montego Bay; and MegaMart, Waterloo Road, Kingston.

Additionally, seven Flow locations have been scrapped, including Courtleigh Corporate Centre, Kingston; Pavilion Mall, Constant Spring Road; Stenneth Street, Port Maria; New Pineapple Shopping Centre, Ocho Rios; Angels Plaza, Spanish Town; Sovereign Centre, Kingston; and Bargain Mall, May Pen.

“As we move to serve you better LIME and Flow will change the locations of some stores. Nine stores will be closed permanently. Eighty-eight stores will remain open for your convenience,” the notice read.

Meanwhile, CWC is recommending that customers use nearby Flow and LIME stores in the areas where the closures have taken place.

“Five of the areas where stores were closed (MegaMart, May Pen, Sovereign, Boulevard, Fairview) both companies had retail outlets in the same location. Other changes were made to ensure the locations were optimised for our customers’ convenience.”

The telecoms company stated that the changes to its retail store operations form part of its move to launch the new, combined consumer brand on the island and introduce a new customer experience which officially offers all its customers a “true quad-play experience”, which is an amalgamation of all its products and services – mobile, landline, broadband and cable (business and residential) into all new outlets.

“Once complete, these changes are part of a broader plan to help the company achieve its goal of becoming the best service provider on the island, offering customers an enhanced product mix with unparalleled customer service,” a release from the company stated.

Following the merger earlier this year, CEO of CWC Phil Bentley said the company will be rebranding all LIME locations to a refreshed Flow throughout the Caribbean countries over the next few months. The rebranding is also expected to affect the Bahamas and Panama.

“This is the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for us,” Bentley stated in a release earlier this year. “Flow, with its bold blue colour, captures the essence of the Caribbean sea and the sky, and is renowned for innovation, technical excellence and great customer service.”

“It’s time to say goodbye to our old friend, LIME, as we look forward to defining new levels of customer service and product innovation under the refreshed Flow brand. We will be rebranding our stores, our vehicles and our uniforms to Flow and we plan to ‘paint’ the entire Caribbean blue,” he added. “That will bring an end to the monochrome black and white LIME brand.”