Amazon creates hundreds of jobs in Peterborough

The internet retailer is looking to rapidly recruit an unspecified number of operatives for its fulfilment centre at Kingston Park.

Amazon already employs about 1,000 staff at the warehouse, which opened 10 years ago.

A spokesman for the retailer said: “We are recruiting for hundreds of roles at the Peterborough fulfilment centre.

“It’s part of our seasonal recruitment activity and we’ll be looking to fill a variety of positions across the centre’s operation.

He added: “We don’t have a specific figures for the number of vacancies except that it is in the hundreds.”

The coronavirus pandemic has seen a steep surge in work for staff at Amazon’s centres as a flood of people turn to online shopping as one way of avoiding the risk of contracting Covid.

In a letter to staff, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos stated: “One thing we’ve learned from the Covid-19 crisis is how important Amazon has become to our customers.

“We’re proud of the work our teams are doing to help customers through this difficult time.

He added: “Our staff are working around the clock to get necessary supplies delivered directly to the doorsteps of people who need them.

“The demand we are seeing for essential products has been and remains high.”

John Bridge, chief executive of Peterborough Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is great news for Peterborough people that Amazon is recruiting so many extra staff.

“It is a challenging time for many companies now, so it is really good to see Amazon doing well. All new jobs are always welcome.”

Amazon is one of a number of companies that have been creating jobs in Peterborough during the pandemic.

Food supplier AM Fresh, of Peterborough Gateway, at Alwalton Hill, has just revealed it is looking to take on about 120 staff while supermarket operator Aldi is expected to create 50 jobs when it opens its fifth Peterborough store at the PE1 retail park.

American behemoths, fashion and homewares retailer Urban Outfitters and spice maker McCormick, are expected to create about 500 jobs with new warehouses at the Peterborough Gateway.

The news is a much needed employment boost for the Peterborough economy, which has been hit by the coronavirus pandemic with a number of employers shedding jobs.

Figures released by the Department of Works and Pensions show the number of people claiming Universal Credit rose last month by 4.7 per cent to 23,077 people.