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

Amazon has said it plans to shut three UK warehouses in a move which will impact up to 1,200 jobs.

Sites in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster and Gourock, in the west of Scotland, have been proposed for closure, a company spokesman said.

The retail giant said workers at the sites will be offered roles at other Amazon locations.

It also unveiled plans for two new major fulfilment centres in Peddimore, the West Midlands and Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.

Amazon hoped the new fulfilment centres would create 2,500 jobs over the next three years.

A spokesman for the company said: '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.'

Around 500 employees currently work at Amazon's Hemel Hempstead site, and will all be offered roles at its nearby Dunstable warehouse or other nearby locations.

The consultations will involve around 400 staff at its Doncaster site in Balby Carr Bank, who the company plans to transfer to its two other fulfilment centres at Doncaster's iPort.

The proposals will also affect around 300 workers currently based at the Gourock site.

The firm acknowledged this and said staff would be offered retraining and reskilling opportunities as part of efforts to secure new work.