Amazon has announced a sweeping £40 billion investment in the UK over the next three years as it ramps up its commitment to faster delivery, film production and digital infrastructure across the country.
The tech giant revealed plans to open four new robotic fulfilment centres, one of which will be located in the East Midlands, with two others already announced for Northampton and Hull. The site of the fourth centre has yet to be confirmed. Each centre is expected to create 2,000 jobs, with pay starting at £28,000, and will help Amazon move closer to offering same-day delivery for a growing number of customers.
The investment also includes expansion of Amazon’s London tech hub, which will gain two new buildings capable of housing 1,500 staff, and significant upgrades to its Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, which is now part of its UK content production arm.
John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager, said the investment would not only accelerate delivery times but also support regional job creation and technological innovation: “By spreading out across the UK, you can get deliveries to customers even faster. One of the big advantages of this investment is going to be that customers will get an increasing proportion of their deliveries available on the very same day.”
A major chunk of the £40 billion total will go toward Amazon Web Services (AWS), the company’s cloud computing arm. Part of a previously announced £8 billion spend, this will fund the build, maintenance and operation of UK data centres, underpinning the digital infrastructure needed for artificial intelligence and cloud services as demand surges globally.
Amazon is also investing heavily in British film and television production. After acquiring Bray Studios last year, the company is refurbishing the site to accommodate major projects for its streaming platform, Amazon Prime Video. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season 2 was filmed there, while a new season of Citadel, from the Russo brothers, began production last autumn.
“We’ve got a lease at Shepperton and we’re currently filming in Manchester, Edinburgh and in Wales as well,” Boumphrey added. “There is a significant investment in being able to make, edit and produce films here, using British talent and British locations with British artists, which we are very excited about.”
Amazon, which now employs 75,000 people in the UK, is one of the country’s top ten private employers. It is also offering 1,000 full-time apprenticeships this year in fields ranging from software development to logistics and IT.
Despite its success, Amazon has faced challenges in the UK, including criticism over working conditions and disputes with the GMB union. The company has consistently denied claims of poor treatment and maintains that it offers competitive pay and a safe work environment.
Andy Jassy, Amazon’s global CEO, hailed the announcement as a reaffirmation of the company’s long-term commitment to the UK: “Thanks to [our customers’] support, we’ve grown to be part of more than 100 communities nationwide, from developing drone technology in Darlington to producing world-class entertainment at our studios in Bray. When Amazon invests, it’s not only in London and the South East — we’re bringing innovation and job creation to communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the news, calling it a “massive vote of confidence in the UK as the best place to do business.” He added: “Amazon’s £40 billion investment adds another major win to Britain’s basket.”
The UK investment follows a global wave of AWS infrastructure spending by Amazon, including $20 billion in Pennsylvania, $10 billion in North Carolina, and $13 billion in Australian data centres.
The announcement comes as Amazon aims to sharpen its global competitiveness in logistics, AI, and entertainment, while deepening its presence in communities and capitalising on Britain’s skilled workforce and digital ambitions.
