Amazon expands £40 billion into the UK in new fulfillment center, studio upgrades and tech investments
Amazon announced a £40 billion investment in the UK over the next three years as it boosts its commitment to faster delivery, film production and digital infrastructure nationwide.
The tech giant reveals plans to open four new robot fulfillment centers, one of which will be located in the central eastern region, and two have been announced as Northampton and Hull. The location of the Fourth Center has not been confirmed yet. Each centre is expected to create 2,000 jobs with a salary of £28,000 and will help Amazon get closer to providing same-day delivery to a growing number of customers.
The investment also includes an expansion of Amazon’s London Tech Hub, which will acquire two new buildings capable of accommodating 1,500 employees and a major upgrade to its Berkshire-based Bray Film Studios, which is now part of its UK content production division.
Amazon UK country manager John Boumphrey said the investment will not only accelerate delivery times, but also support regional creation and technological innovation: “By spreading in the UK, you can deliver to customers faster. One of the biggest advantages of this investment will be the increasing proportion of delivery that customers offer on the same date.”
The majority of the £40 billion total will be spent on Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud computing division. This will fund the construction, maintenance and operation of UK data centers and surge in demand worldwide, providing the foundation for the digital infrastructure needed for AI and cloud services.
Amazon also makes substantial investments in British film and television production. After acquiring Bray Studios last year, the company is renovating the site to accommodate major projects on its streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. Lord of the Rings: Ring of Power – Season 2 was filmed there, while the new season from the Russo Brothers was produced last fall.
“We have already obtained a lease in Shepperton and we are currently shooting in Manchester, Edinburgh and Wales,” Boumphrey added. “We are very excited about using locations for British talent and British artists here, making, editing and making movies here is a huge investment, and we are very excited about it.”
Amazon, which now employs 75,000 people in the UK, is one of the top 10 private employers in the country. It also offers 1,000 full-time apprentices this year in areas such as software development to logistics.
Despite its success, Amazon faces challenges in the UK, including criticism of working conditions and disputes with the GMB alliance. The company has been denied the claim of poor treatment and insists that it provides a competitive wage and a safe working environment.
Amazon Global CEO Andy Jassy praised the announcement as a reaffirmation of the company’s long-term commitment to the UK: “Thanks [our customers’] Support, we have grown into part of more than 100 communities across the country, from developing drone technology in Darlington to producing world-class entertainment at Berming Studios. When Amazon invests, not only in London and the Southeast – we bring innovation and job creation to communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. ”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the news, calling it a “large-scale vote of confidence to be the best place to do business in the UK”. He added: “Amazon’s £40 billion investment adds another major win to the UK’s rim.”
UK investment is Amazon’s global wave of spending on AWS infrastructure, including $20 billion in Pennsylvania, $10 billion in North Carolina and $13 billion in Australian data centers.
The announcement comes as Amazon’s goal is to enhance its global competitiveness in logistics, AI and entertainment, while deepening its reach in the community and leveraging the UK’s skilled workforce and digital ambitions.
