Hundreds of Marconi workers could face upheaval as the troubled company admits it could sell off one of its Chelmsford businesses.

The arm of the company that might be sold as a going concern is Marconi Strategic Communications, which is based in New Street, Chelmsford, and employs 350.

If it is hived off, it will bring the number of Marconi sites in the town to an all time low.

Marconi Strategic Communications, which makes communications equipment used by the Army, Navy and police, is a part of Marconi Mobile, based at the same site in New Street, which employs 400.

A spokesman today said Marconi Mobile, which is still making a profit, would stay at the New Street site for now and there was no immediate plan to sell it.

He added: "But, we are in discussions concerning the future of that business and selling it is an option."

He added that it was too early to comment on the future of the 350 workers at Marconi Strategic Communications.

Bill Pigram, Regional Officer for the AMICUS union said: "As far as we are concerned they seem to be selling off the parts which will make them the most money.

"We were told that New Street would be retained and even now the possibility of its sale has not been clearly put to us."

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002