Amazon has announced plans to close its Milton Keynes fulfilment centre, prompting uncertainty for hundreds of employees. The company says workers will be offered the chance to transfer to other sites, including a new, larger facility in Northampton, expected to create up to 2,000 jobs.
Fulfilment Centre Closure And Staff Transition Plans
According to ITV, the tech and logistics giant confirmed that it had begun consultations regarding the closure of its Brogborough site in Milton Keynes. The move forms part of a wider internal restructuring aimed at streamlining operations and shifting activity to newer, more advanced facilities.
An Amazon spokesperson explained the company’s reasoning and its commitment to affected staff.
“Today we’ve announced a consultation on a proposal to close our fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes and to offer employees an opportunity to transfer to our brand-new site in Northampton – a larger, state-of-the-art building which will employ up to 2,000 people – or to other Amazon sites. Our top priority is to support our people during this process.”
The Northampton site, which features expanded automation and logistics capabilities, is intended to serve as a regional hub for distribution efficiency. Amazon has emphasized that no immediate redundancies have been confirmed and that every effort will be made to retain as many employees as possible through relocation or redeployment.
For many workers, though, the proposed move presents practical difficulties. Commuting between Milton Keynes and Northampton could pose challenges for staff with established community ties and family responsibilities.
Union Concerns And Worker Reactions
The GMB Union, which represents Amazon employees, voiced its concern about the impact the closure could have on local workers. A spokesperson for the union said:
“We know many of our members live in the local area and have planned work around caring responsibilities and other family commitments. GMB is committed to working with and supporting its members through these uncertain times.”
Union officials have urged Amazon to ensure full transparency throughout the consultation process and to provide relocation assistance for those unable to transfer. Some employees expressed anxiety about longer commute times, rising travel costs, and the availability of equivalent roles at other Amazon facilities.
This development follows a period of heightened scrutiny over Amazon’s UK operations, with increasing calls for stronger employment protections and clearer policies regarding site closures and redeployments.
Local Authorities Respond To The Announcement
The proposal has also prompted reaction from Central Bedfordshire Council, which described the closure as a setback for the local economy. In a statement, the council said:
“Amazon is one of Central Bedfordshire’s biggest employers and we are disappointed to hear of the firm’s proposal to close their Brogborough site, but appreciate this is part of a broader restructure of the firm.”
Council representatives added:
“Our primary concern is with the Central Bedfordshire residents who work there. We are working closely with Amazon as they move through their consultation process and stand ready to support any Central Bedfordshire residents who may be affected.”
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to assisting displaced employees. “Our priority is to support local people into alternative employment and ensure they can access advice, skills support and job opportunities during this period.”
Local job centres and business networks have also indicated readiness to provide retraining and transition services for those unable to continue with Amazon.
A Wider Trend In Amazon’s UK Operations
The closure of the Milton Keynes site is part of a broader restructuring effort across Amazon’s UK network. The company has been consolidating operations to newer, more technologically advanced sites designed to handle growing e-commerce demand and evolving logistics models.
Analysts suggest that Amazon’s move reflects the ongoing digital transformation of warehousing operations, which increasingly rely on automation and artificial intelligence to improve speed and reduce costs. While such upgrades can enhance efficiency, they also raise questions about long-term job stability and the human impact of automation in logistics sectors.
The coming months will be crucial for affected employees as consultations progress and transition plans are finalized. For now, Amazon insists that it will prioritise “support and opportunity” throughout the restructuring process.
