Amazon to create 1,200 Swansea jobs

Updated 13.06 Thu Mar 29 2007

Keywords: online, retailer, web, Amazon

Around 1,200 jobs will be created in Swansea by web retailer Amazon over the next five years.

The online retail giant is building a purpose-based distribution centre in the Welsh city.

The 800,000sq ft construction - around the size of ten football pitches - will span 33 acres

The 800,000sq ft construction - around the size of ten football pitches - will span 33 acres.

Andrew Davies, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Network said: "'The decision by Amazon means Wales will now be part of the multi-million pound European market segment for on-line retailing and we welcome this significant foothold in Wales by a world-class company".

The Macquarie Goodman Group, who are developing the centre, are due to start work on site in April. The first phase of 400,000sq ft is expected to be completed by October 2007.

Allan Lyall, Vice President of European Operations at Amazon said: "We are delighted that our fourth UK distribution centre is to be built in Wales."

He added: "This new development will play an integral part in fulfilling current and future demand and we feel that the site's great location, coupled with the ability to draw from a pool of strong local talent, will make this an extremely effective and efficient operation."

The centre will be used to distribute items available on the amazon website.