Amazon is set to shut three UK warehouses – including one near Watford – which will impact 1,200 jobs.

A spokesperson for the company said consultations have been launched over the proposed closure of sites in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster, and Gourock in Scotland.

This morning (January 10), they said: “We’re always evaluating our network to make sure it fits our business needs and to improve the experience for our employees and customers.

“As part of that effort, we may close older sites, enhance existing facilities or open new sites, and we’ve launched a consultation on the proposed closure of three fulfilment centres in 2023.

“We also plan to open two new fulfilment centres creating 2,500 new jobs over the next three years.”

Those new centres will be in Peddimore, West Midlands, and Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.

Around 500 employees currently work at Amazon’s Hemel Hempstead site, and will all be offered roles at its Dunstable warehouse or other nearby locations.

The spokesperson added: “All employees affected by site closure consultations will be offered the opportunity to transfer to other facilities and we remain committed to our customers, employees and communities across the UK.”

It is understood these proposals are separate from Amazon’s plan to cut around 18,000 jobs worldwide as part of a drive to cut costs.

Union GMB branded the move "a real kick in the teeth for staff who worked themselves into the ground during the festive rush".

It added: "Hard-up Amazon workers can’t suddenly be expected to up sticks and move to a different fulfilment centre which may be many miles away. Local workers who may not be in a position to take roles so far away from where they live.

“Amazon has failed to bring a stable employment model due to their long-standing health and safety issues and poor workplace practices.

“To move forward with stability, Amazon needs to engage with the workforce through their union GMB.”