Amazon to create 1,300 jobs in Dartford with £200m warehouse

The project will see a vast, four-storey warehouse open on a 45-acre plot of land on the site of the decommissioned Littlebrook Power Station, with the online giant saying that whilst it is "early days", they are excited for the local expansion.

And under plans to create 10,000 new jobs in the UK, around 1,300 jobs will open up in north Kent at the site of the new fulfilment centre in a welcome boost for the area.

The UK's business secretary called the announcement "fantastic news" which will help open up a wide range of opportunities for even more workers amidst the long recovery from Covid-19.

John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager, shows Kwasi Kwarteng, BEIS Secretary, around Amazon's new fulfilment centre. Scott Heppell/PA Wire.

Other warehouse centres are also being built in Gateshead, Hinckley and Swindon, plus a parcel centre in Doncaster, overall bringing Amazon's total UK workforce to more than 55,000 by the end of the year.

In Dartford the giant warehouse is already being built, situated adjacent to the QE2 Bridge, Dartford Tunnel and on the south bank of the River Thames.

Tritax Big Box, the company behind the plans, said in June 2020 that they were ready to move forward with the £200 million project after receiving planning consent last year.

The Amazon warehouse planned for Dartford

They had confirmed that a 'world-leading online retailer', thought to be Amazon, was coming to the area.

And in February this year, Amazon confirmed their plans for a 'Mega Box' warehouse.

The Amazon warehouse planned for Dartford

Titrax Big Box say the location will mean it's project, a "rare asset so close to the heart of London," will benefit from "exceptional transport connectivity via motorway, rail and water, excellent infrastructure, significant power provision and a robust labour market."

Amazon has also announced the launch a £10 million programme to help up to 5,000 employees gain new skills.

New jobs will also be created in corporate offices, web services and operations networks in areas including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge.

Amazon's UK country manager John Boumphrey said: "We're creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits.

"We're also delighted to be working with the British Chambers of Commerce on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country.

John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager, shows Kwasi Kwarteng, BEIS Secretary, around Amazon's new fulfilment centre. Scott Heppell/PA Wire.

"We're proud of the front-line roles we offer across Amazon, and we also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey."

Costing around £205 million, the developer had committed to achieving a net-zero carbon warehouse which will be powered by the largest solar photovoltaic scheme of any new development in the UK, with 3.5MW capacity.

Amazon and Titrax want the disused brownfield site transformed into a new premium logistics park, bringing "enhanced local infastructure and significant employment opportunities."

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Amazon's announcement is fantastic news and a huge vote of confidence in the British economy, helping us deliver on our commitment to level up across the UK with a whopping 10,000 new permanent jobs.

"As we build back better from the pandemic, this is a prime investment in our retail sector.

John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager, shows Kwasi Kwarteng, BEIS Secretary, around Amazon's new fulfilment centre. Scott Heppell/PA Wire.

"Over the past year, Amazon's workforce have pulled out all the stops to ensure consumers have had safe access to goods during this challenging time.

"Their latest investment will open up a wide range of opportunities for even more workers, helping to develop the skills needed to power tomorrow's economy."

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "This is a great initiative that will not only help Amazon but also provide a much wider benefit to the community, while showcasing how business can be a force for good.

"Providing staff with training to plug the skills gaps that exist within the local business community is going to be a key driver to increasing productivity and boosting the economy as the UK recovers from the pandemic."

Amazon said training will be offered through its programme, where it pays course fees for employees who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career outside of the company.