Jobs at risk with Amazon pulling out of Gourock

Amazon is set to close its warehouse in Gourock, with the loss of around 300 jobs, in a major blow for the Inverclyde economy.

The internet giant is also launching consultations on the future of sites in Hemel Hempstead and Doncaster.

It is understood that all workers at the sites will be offered roles at other Amazon locations, which for Gourock workers would mean relocating to Bathgate or Fife.

"Devastating closure"

Scottish Labour MSP for West Scotland Neil Bibby condemned the closure saying: "This is devastating. For 19 years, Amazon has been a major source of jobs in a part of Scotland with high unemployment and for 300 people to find out they are out of a work so soon after Christmas is a hammer blow.

“This workforce played a major role in supporting people through the pandemic and the holiday period. Their hard work made sure our supplies arrived when we were locked down and our gifts arrived before Christmas day.

“The Scottish Government should leave no stone unturned in trying to minimise the impact of these job losses and help people back into employment.

Public funding

“We know Amazon has benefitted from significant public funds in the past and is disappointing they have decided to up and leave a community which has served them so well.

“We need full transparency on how much Amazon has been given, for what purpose and what conditions were attached to these funds.

“Unfortunately, the people of Inverclyde and the West of Scotland know all too well the consequences of losing a significant employer.

“This community has been battling depopulation and economic decline for many years and this represents a worrying setback. This news should redouble our efforts to support these communities and attract good, well-paid jobs to the areas who need them most.”

Government intervention calls

Alba Party General Secretary, Chris McEleny, who represented Gourock as a councillor for ten years, said: “ This is a big blow to Inverclyde. We need an urgent intervention from the Scottish Government to demand that the cost of Amazon leaving Inverclyde is the handing back of the millions of pounds of aid they have received from the Government.

"There will be many calls now from politicians trying to save these jobs but what we need to do is use this as an opportunity to have a step change in Government policy that rolls out the red carpet tor these large corporations only for them to walk all over our communities."

Older sites to close

A spokesman for the company 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.

"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."

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