New Amazon London Office To House 1,600 Staff

Amazon is to open a new office in central London and will move several hundred employees from its current base in Slough before the end of the year.

The online retailer says the first phase of development at the 210,000 square foot office in Holborn will be completed in September and will eventually accommodate more than 1,600 staff when it is completed.

Christopher North, managing director of Amazon UK, said the new facility will allow it to expand in the UK.

Amazon London office

“This new office location will provide the space we require for hundreds of our existing employees as well as many more that we will hire in the future,” he said. “Amazon has over 6,000 permanent employees in the UK and we will continue to create thousands of jobs in the coming years across the UK.

“We look forward to drawing from the capital’s strong pool of talent as we continue to innovate and enhance our service for the benefit of all our customers.”

However, the anticipated growth in Amazon’s UK business comes at a time when it is under fire for paying no corporation tax to the government despite generating £2.9 billion worth of sales in 2012.

Mayor approves

Despite the ongoing controversy, Mayor of London Boris Johnson welcomed the move, declaring it a boost for London’s credentials a tech hub. Johnson was also present at the launch of Amazon’s Digital Media Development Centre, an eight floor facility near Barbican station, last year.

“‘I am delighted that Amazon is once again choosing London for its ambitious expansion plans,” he said. “This is excellent news for London’s continued growth as a leading global hub for tech talent.

“Whether a giant or an exciting new start-up, London is proving time and time again that we have the right places and people to support this vibrant sector, which is a significant contributor to our city’s economy supporting tens of thousands of jobs.”

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