Amazon to shut three UK warehouses putting 1,200 jobs at risk

The Seattle-based e-commerce company said consultations over the closure of warehouses in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, have been launched.

A spokesperson said it will open two new fulfillment centers over the next three years at Peddimore, West Midlands, and Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, creating 2,500 jobs. 

“We’re always evaluating our network to make sure it fits our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees and customers.

"As part of that effort, we may close older sites, enhance existing facilities, or open new sites, and we’ve launched a consultation on the proposed closure of three fulfilment centres in 2023.

"We also plan to open two new fulfilment centres creating 2,500 new jobs over the next three years.  All employees affected by site closure consultations will be offered the opportunity to transfer to other facilities, and we remain committed to our customers, employees, and communities across the UK.”

Last week, Amazon announced plans to cut 18,000 jobs from its global workforce amid “economic uncertainty” as the company moves to rein in costs.

CEO Andy Jassy, who confirmed the cuts in a note to staff on Thursday, said the layoffs will mainly affect brick-and-mortar stores like Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, as well as its human resources division, known as PXT.

Steve Garelick, an organiser for the GMB union, told the Guardian that the announcement of the warehouse closures would be “a real kick in the teeth for Amazon staff who worked themselves into the ground during the festive rush”.

He said: “Hard-up Amazon workers can’t suddenly be expected to up sticks and move to a different fulfilment centre which may be many miles away. Local workers may not be in a position to take roles so far away from where they live.”