Amazon is doubling down on Britain with a £40 billion investment blitz over the next three years, in a move that promises faster deliveries, thousands of jobs, and a boost to the UK’s creative and tech economies.
The tech and retail giant announced plans to open four new state-of-the-art robotic fulfilment centres, refurbish its Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, and significantly expand its London office footprint. The result: 8,000 new jobs, hundreds of apprenticeships, and a dramatic step toward same-day delivery dominance across the UK.
The investment was hailed as a “major win” by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who met with Amazon CEO Andy Jassy to celebrate the announcement. Jassy said Amazon’s commitment reflects the company’s long-standing relationship with the UK, where it now employs over 75,000 people.
Three of the new fulfilment centres have confirmed locations — in the East Midlands, Northampton, and Hull — while the fourth remains under wraps. Each warehouse is expected to create 2,000 jobs with salaries starting at £28,000 a year, in addition to supporting regional economies.
“By spreading out across the UK, you can get deliveries to customers even faster,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager. “This expansion means more packages arriving same-day — not next-day.”
The move also signals a strategic shift back to physical infrastructure, as e-commerce competition tightens and consumer expectations rise for instant gratification.
On the entertainment front, Amazon is pouring money into its Bray Film Studios, which recently hosted production of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and the spy thriller Citadel. Filming is also active in Manchester, Edinburgh, Wales, and Amazon still holds a lease on Shepperton Studios.
“We’re making, editing, and producing films right here in the UK using British talent, British locations, and British artists,” Boumphrey said.
Part of the £40 billion figure also includes Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) share of an £8 billion data centre buildout in the UK — crucial infrastructure to support AI and cloud computing as demand explodes globally.
This follows a recent $20 billion AWS investment in Pennsylvania, $10 billion in North Carolina, and $13 billion in Australia, underscoring Amazon’s ambition to lead the AI and cloud race.
Despite consistent growth, Amazon has faced sharp criticism in the UK over working conditions, union disputes, and safety records at its fulfilment centres — concerns it continues to deny.
Still, it remains one of the UK’s top 10 private employers and plans to offer more than 1,000 full-time apprenticeships this year as part of its workforce expansion.
Amazon’s sprawling reach — from drones in Darlington to high fantasy epics in Berkshire — makes clear that Britain remains central to its long-term strategy.
As Jassy put it: “When Amazon invests, it’s not only in London and the southeast — we’re bringing innovation and job creation to communities throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.”
