Amazon UK to close Milton Keynes facility, leaving 590 workers' futures uncertain.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the local community, tech giant Amazon has announced plans to close one of its UK fulfilment centres in Milton Keynes. The facility, which opened in 1998 and was initially touted as a major boost for the region's economy, is now set to be shut down, leaving approximately 590 employees facing an uncertain future.
According to Amazon, workers at the Milton Keynes site will be offered the chance to transfer to its new, state-of-the-art facility in Northampton. The larger site, valued at £500m, is expected to open in May and will initially employ up to 2,000 people. While this may seem like a lifeline for some, others are concerned about the potential impact on morale and local economic activity.
A spokesperson for Amazon acknowledged that the company is "always evaluating its network" to ensure it meets its business needs and enhances the experience for both employees and customers. They added that their top priority is to support employees during this process, suggesting a commitment to mitigating the effects of the closure on those affected.
Interestingly, Amazon has revealed that a separate sortation centre in Milton Keynes will remain unaffected by the proposals, adding further complexity to the situation. With the Northampton site set to become the company's main base for UK operations, workers at the Milton Keynes facility are advised to consider transferring their skills and expertise to ensure a smooth transition.
As Amazon navigates this significant change, questions remain about the long-term implications for local businesses, residents, and the regional economy as a whole.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the local community, tech giant Amazon has announced plans to close one of its UK fulfilment centres in Milton Keynes. The facility, which opened in 1998 and was initially touted as a major boost for the region's economy, is now set to be shut down, leaving approximately 590 employees facing an uncertain future.
According to Amazon, workers at the Milton Keynes site will be offered the chance to transfer to its new, state-of-the-art facility in Northampton. The larger site, valued at £500m, is expected to open in May and will initially employ up to 2,000 people. While this may seem like a lifeline for some, others are concerned about the potential impact on morale and local economic activity.
A spokesperson for Amazon acknowledged that the company is "always evaluating its network" to ensure it meets its business needs and enhances the experience for both employees and customers. They added that their top priority is to support employees during this process, suggesting a commitment to mitigating the effects of the closure on those affected.
Interestingly, Amazon has revealed that a separate sortation centre in Milton Keynes will remain unaffected by the proposals, adding further complexity to the situation. With the Northampton site set to become the company's main base for UK operations, workers at the Milton Keynes facility are advised to consider transferring their skills and expertise to ensure a smooth transition.
As Amazon navigates this significant change, questions remain about the long-term implications for local businesses, residents, and the regional economy as a whole.
Still worried about morale and local economic impact tho 
. It's heartbreaking when big changes affect so many lives. I do think it's awesome that Amazon is trying to support their employees during this transition 
. They're offering transfer opportunities and making sure they have a smooth process, which is really kind of them.
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. We can't control everything, but we can definitely show some love and support 
!
! Closing a facility after 17 years is just devastating news 
. I know Amazon's trying to be all corporate and supportive, but it feels like they're just throwing people under the bus 
. The Northampton site might seem like an upgrade, but what about those who can't make the transfer? Are they just being left high and dry 
I'm not convinced Amazon's got our best interests at heart here...
This is such sad news for those 590 workers... I mean, on one hand its great that they're being offered a chance to move to the new site in Northampton, but like... who wants to uproot their lives like that? 
. problem is, what about the morale hit from all these employees being forced to transfer? and what's the real reason behind this move? Is it just Amazon trying to consolidate its operations or is there something more going on?
in Milton Keynes 
. They'll get to move to Northampton tho 
, but will it be worth it? 
Still a lot of uncertainty 
... and that the local economy won't take a hit 
. 590 workers are being given an "opportunity" to transfer, but what about those who can't or won't make the move? 
? With this closure, they're essentially "optimizing" their operations to save costs 
. But what about job security? The US-based company has been making headlines for its low-wage policies 
. With Amazon's UK sales reaching £10 billion last year alone, it's clear that their presence has a significant impact on our economy 
like, what does that even mean for the workers tho? 
also, why did they have to close one facility and just keep another nearby? 
on the other hand, Amazon is offering to transfer some of them to the new site in Northampton which is a big plus 
I just hope the community comes together to help each other out during this tough time 
. Plus, Amazon's trying to be all supportive about it, so that's gotta count for something 
. The fact that they're keeping the sortation centre open in Milton Keynes just adds another layer of complexity, but maybe that'll help offset the impact of the closure 
. Let's not forget, the Northampton site is supposed to be the new hub for Amazon UK, so who knows what opportunities will come out of this? 
OMG, I'm literally shocked! 590 jobs on the line? That's crazy! I mean, I get it, companies gotta adapt and all that but still... Milton Keynes was supposed to be the big deal years ago 
and now it feels like they're just passing the buck to Northampton 
.
And to the workers who are worried about their future, I'd say don't be afraid to take control of your own destiny. Transfer those skills and expertise, and maybe even see this as an opportunity to start fresh somewhere new! 
The key is to stay adaptable and open-minded, because that's often where growth happens 
they're already stressed enough with all the changes in the tech industry. i hope amazon is prepared for some serious backlash from the community 