Amazon confirms site closure after consultation

Amazon has confirmed it will close its first UK base, which opened in Bedfordshire in 1998.

The online retailer said that following a consultation process it would shut its Marston Gate centre at Ridgmont, Brogborough.

All 500 employees will be offered the opportunity to transfer to Amazon's new building in Northampton or other locations.

An Amazon spokesperson said the Marston Gate site held an "extraordinary place" in its history.

The company initially proposed the closure of the site, which is by junction 13 of the M1, in January.

"As our first UK fulfilment centre, nearly a billion items have been delivered from this site, and we're immensely proud of everything the team has achieved," a spokesperson said.

"The new £500m Northampton building will employ nearly four times as many people and will feature our latest cutting-edge technology and modern facilities.

"Individual consultations are now beginning, and our top priority is continuing to support our people during this process."

The Northampton centre will employ about 2,000 workers by the end of the year.

It is scheduled to start operations in May.

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