Online retail giant Amazon has confirmed it is to create more than 1,300 jobs at a huge new fulfilment centre in Dartford.

The £205m warehouse will be based on the site of the decommissioned Littlebrook Power Station, next to tunnel approach on the River Thames. Amazon has previously said it is due to open in August.

When completed, the four-story 'mega-box' will encompass 2.3 million square feet - equivalent to roughly 30 football pitches.

The facility will be powered by what is said to be the largest solar photovoltaic scheme of any new development in the UK, with 3.5MW capacity.

The announcement comes as Amazon revealed it plans to create 10,000 permanent jobs in the UK during 2021, taking its workforce in the nation to more than 55,000.

Planning approval for the Dartford site was granted to Tritax Big Box, the company behind the construction scheme last year.

It is also opening new fulfilment centres in Gateshead and Swindon - with all each creating more than 1,300 permanent jobs.

The company will also invest £10 million over three years to train to up to 5,000 employees in new skills and support the government’s investment programme. This training will be offered through Amazon’s Career Choice programme, where the company pays course fees for its employees who have expressed an interest in pursuing a career outside of the company – something that will boost the skills and employability of British workers.

The 10,000 new permanent jobs Amazon will create in the UK this year will include roles at its corporate offices, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and operations network.

Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “Amazon’s announcement today is fantastic news and a huge vote of confidence in the British economy, helping us deliver on our commitment to level up across the UK with a whopping 10,000 new permanent jobs. As we build back better from the pandemic, this is a prime investment in our retail sector.

“Over the past year, Amazon’s workforce have pulled out all the stops to ensure consumers have had safe access to goods during this challenging time. Their latest investment will open up a wide range of opportunities for even more workers, helping to develop the skills needed to power tomorrow’s economy.”

Amazon’s UK country manager, John Boumphrey, added: “We’re creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits. We’re also delighted to be working with the British Chambers of Commerce on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country.”

The jobs boost comes just a day after Faversham pub and brewery giant Shepherd Neame announced it was looking to hire 300 staff as its portfolio of properties fully reopens once more thanks to the easing of the lockdown restrictions.

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