Amazon has announced plans to shut down a fulfilment center, impacting 590 jobs. The company is in talks to close its Milton Keynes site, which was the first Amazon center established in 1998. Employees affected by the closure will have the option to relocate to the new Amazon facility in Northampton or other locations.
The upcoming £500 million Northampton facility is set to launch in May, initially hiring 1,400 workers with a potential increase to 2,000. However, the Amazon sortation center, a segment of its logistics operations also located in Milton Keynes, remains unaffected by the closure proposal.
An Amazon spokesperson stated that the decision is part of continuous network evaluation to align with business requirements and enhance the overall experience for employees and customers. The priority remains to provide support to affected employees through the transition process.
In a separate development, Amazon has initiated drone testing as a prelude to introducing an airborne delivery service in the UK by 2026. The company has commenced limited drone flights from its base in Darlington but has not yet started drone deliveries to customers. Once operational, eligible customers in Darlington can expect deliveries weighing less than five pounds within a two-hour timeframe.
Amazon confirmed the ongoing drone tests from its Darlington fulfillment center and anticipates an official launch of the drone delivery service in 2026. The company highlighted collaboration with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority to facilitate the introduction of drone delivery services.
The drone technology has been designed to operate quietly, with noise levels comparable to traditional van deliveries. Advanced onboard systems enable the drones to navigate and avoid obstacles during the delivery process, including objects not typically visible on satellite maps. The drones utilize sophisticated perception technology, incorporating machine learning models to recognize various objects and ensure safe and efficient operations.