Barclaycard, who recently took over the Goldfish brand, on Wednesday announced a three-month consultation period over the future of the Cumbernauld operation.

The centre at Hunt Hill is one of the new town's major employers. It was opened in May, 2000.

Some staff are expected to be offered jobs at Barclays three English centres and in the bank's Glasgow operations.

But North Lanarkshire Council Leader Jim McCabe said: "I am bitterly disappointed in the lack of loyalty that Barclaycard has shown to the Scottish workforce and I would not be surprised if the people of Scotland were to react negatively towards that organisation.

"My thoughts are with the staff and their families and we will do all we can to support those affected.

"Together with our partner agencies, like Job Centre Plus and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, we will work with the company management to provide the best support and advice to those who may be made redundant. This support can lead either to alternative employment or to re-training that will help the staff to find employment in the future."

Cumbernauld and Kilsyth MSP Cathie Craigie described the closure as a "major blow". Mrs Craigie said: "Barclaycard's proposals are a major blow to employees and their families in Cumbernauld, Kilsyth, and the surrounding area.

"I will be doing everything I can as the local MSP to protect jobs. Cumbernauld has a skilled workforce and is an excellent location for business.

"Having discussed the situation with Barclaycard and the Minister I hope action can be taken to keep these jobs in Cumbernauld."

Central Scotland List MSP Jamie Hepburn, who has spoken with Minister for Enterprise Jim Mather about the consultation said: "Today's announcement will be of great concern for all those employed by Barclaycard at Cumbernauld and their families.

"No one wants to see job losses and I hope Barclaycard will re-think their plans and commit to what is a state of the art facility in Cumbernauld.

"I have written to the Enterprise Minister Jim Mather for information on what action Government is taking and having spoken to Mr Mather today I am confident the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to secure a future for the site."

And Hugh O'Donnell, Liberal Democrat MSP for Central Scotland said: "Cumbernauld is an early UK victim of the wider downturn in the US economy. The decision by US card issuer Discover Financial Services to abandon the UK only two years after taking Goldfish on, in the face of gloomy economic prospects, was a blow.

"Barclaycard's purchase of the business in February 2008 looked like a rescue, but they have lost no time in making moves to cut costs and maintain their competitiveness in a difficult financial climate.

"It will be no comfort to those who face redundancy here in Scotland to know that their work is to be absorbed into Barclaycard operations elsewhere in the UK and opportunities offered to staff to relocate to Teesside, Kirkby or Northampton."

Mr O'Donnell, himself a Cumbernauld resident, added: "At a time like this politicians of all persuasions need to work together to find ways of alleviating the effects of this body blow to the town and to work with the Scottish Government to make sure that those affected – and their families - receive all the support and help they can give."

The redundancies were discussed at Scottish Government level before the announcement was made by Barclaycard.Plainly they created shockwaves not simply in Cumbernauld but at the Parliament.

Minister for Enterprise Jim Mather did not mince his words, stating that he was``extremely disappointed'' to learn of this development.

"Both the First Minister and I have been in contact with the company and officials have been actively exploring all possible avenues of assistance to allow Barclaycard to continue its presence in Cumbernauld. We'll continue that work throughout the consultation period and beyond,'' he said.

"This is a custom-built contact centre and a high quality workforce,'' said Mr Mather who stressed that a contingency plan will swing into play following a closure. "The Scottish Government and Scottish Development International will actively market this. We will also be exploring how we can help the workforce move into new employment in the industry," said Mr Mather.