Amazon opens Leeds depot with 2,000 jobs up for grabs

Alan Jones, PA Industrial Correspondent & Elizabeth Mackley
·2-min read
-Credit: (Image: Amazon/PA)
-Credit: (Image: Amazon/PA)


Shopping giant Amazon has opened a new depot in Leeds - and will now start recruiting to fill more than 2,000 positions over the next few months.

The high-tech fulfilment centre has now opened at Gateway45 in Leeds. The company will now look to be welcoming applicants for various jobs, including HR and IT professionals, health & safety and finance staff as well as workers to pick, pack and ship orders.

Read more: Jobs in Leeds this week from train conductor to pharmacist

The online retailer is spending more than £500m on the warehouse, which uses "advanced technology" to pick, pack and ship orders to customers across three floors.

Richard Thompson, Amazon’s regional director, said: “West Yorkshire is an important region for Amazon, with more than 3,800 small and medium-sized enterprise selling partners, and I am delighted to confirm our ongoing commitment with this £500 million investment in a new, state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Leeds.

PLP Gateway45, Leeds -Credit:PLP
PLP Gateway45, Leeds -Credit:PLP

“This new site will create more than 2,000 new jobs, taking our total workforce in the region to more than 4,000 full and part-time roles, and our investment in the region to more than £1.5 billion since 2010.”

Amazon's investment in the region has been welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce, which has said the warehouse will provide a welcome boost to the economy. James Mason, West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive, said: “This further, significant investment from Amazon is a confirmation of our strategic location for the logistics industry as a whole, and a ringing endorsement for the strength and skillset of the workforce in our region.

Read more: 'If everywhere built as many homes as Leeds, there'd be no housing crisis'

“We at the chamber welcome the job creation, a significant boost for the region’s economy.”

Mandy Ridyard, business adviser to the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Amazon’s multimillion-pound investment in Leeds is a fantastic vote of confidence in our region and supports our ambition to drive economic growth.

PLP Gateway45, Leeds -Credit:PLP
PLP Gateway45, Leeds -Credit:PLP

“I’m delighted that thousands more new jobs will be created for people throughout our communities, as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”

The warehouse was developed by PLP, and has been built on a 43-acre site which used to be a wastewater treatment works. It is located next to Junction 45 of the M1.

On its website, PLP says it is the "largest distribution shcheme" in the area. It states: "Successfully regenerated a former wastewater treatment works into a key logistics and employment hub. Pre let development fulfilment centre for major e-commerce retailer."

Amazon said it has invested more than £56 billion in the UK since 2010.

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