Amazon has officially opened a state-of-the-art fulfilment centre at Gateway45 in Leeds, marking a significant £500 million investment aimed at bolstering its UK operations. This new facility, Amazon’s 31st in the UK, will utilize advanced technology across three floors to streamline the picking, packing, and shipping of customer orders.
The centre is expected to create more than 2,000 jobs, encompassing roles in engineering, human resources, IT, health and safety, finance, and order processing.
The strategic location, just under 10 miles from Amazon’s Wakefield centre, which began operations in 2022, highlights West Yorkshire's growing importance in the logistics industry.
James Mason, Chief Executive of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that Amazon’s substantial investment is a testament to the region’s strong workforce and its crucial role in the logistics sector.
Richard Thompson, Amazon’s Regional Director, affirmed the company’s ongoing commitment to West Yorkshire, noting that the new facility will increase Amazon’s total workforce in the region to over 4,000. Since 2010, Amazon has invested more than £1.5 billion in West Yorkshire, contributing to the local economy and supporting over 3,800 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the area.
Mandy Ridyard, Business Adviser to the Mayor of West Yorkshire, praised the investment as a strong vote of confidence in the region’s economic future, highlighting the creation of thousands of new jobs as a vital step toward building a stronger, more prosperous West Yorkshire.
Since 2010, Amazon has invested over £56 billion in the UK, reinforcing its position as a major player in the country’s economy.