Monumental Shutters Manchester Studio

In a move that CEO Paul Mayze describes as "intended to support Monumental Games going forward" the Moto GP 09/10 developer has shut its Salford Quays office in Manchester. The move leaves 23 staff with the threat of redundancy hanging over their heads.

The company's Nottingham and Pune (India) offices remain open. According to the How-Do site, Mr Mayze explains that the Manchester closure, "Ultimately... will lead to efficiency gains for the company as a whole, but it has, unfortunately, led to some redundancies. It is not a decision that we have taken lightly."

Quoted in Develop, the CEO explains that "We are looking to keep some staff, we are doing what we can, but there’s a lot of factors in play."

He continues, stating that the closure "doesn't fundamentally affect any of Monumental’s ongoing business", and "The move is intended to support Monumental Games going forward."

Apparently the demise of the Salford Quays operation, says Develop, revolved around "a £140,000 grant awarded to Monumental back in December 2008 (that) fell through, as it was awarded on the proviso that Monumental hire another 22 staff over two years – targets which the company has not met."