Visit to Doncaster Amazon fulfilment centre highlights key community impact

The tour highlighted Amazon's collaboration with local schools and charities, staff volunteering efforts, and skills training programmes designed to benefit local employees.

Amazon is one of Doncaster’s largest employers, with around 4,000 employees, increasing to approximately 4,700 during seasonal peaks such as Black Friday and Christmas. Since opening in 2017, the fulfilment centre is one of three Amazon sites at the iPort.

Fulfilment centre general manager Gill Fedorov and her team highlighted the innovative ways of working pioneered at the Doncaster site, many of which have now been implemented across other Amazon sites in the UK. Gill Fedorov said: “It was great to welcome the Mayor and her guests to Amazon in Doncaster. We enjoyed showing them around the fulfilment centre, where they met members of our team and find out more about how Amazon positively impacts the Yorkshire community."

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “It has been great to learn more about how Amazon positively contributes to Doncaster through its community initiatives. Fundraising, donations, and staff volunteering have all helped provide much-needed support for local charities and schools. It was a pleasure to hear directly from staff about the support they have received through training, apprenticeships and flexible working arrangements to manage an all-important work-life balance, whilst also being able to progress in their career.”

Councillor Glyn Jones, Deputy Mayor and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Business, added: “As one of Doncaster’s largest employers, Amazon has made a significant economic impact on our city. With an investment of over £2 billion in Doncaster, Amazon has capitalised on our outstanding connectivity and resilient workforce.”

Sustainability was also a key topic during the visit. In January 2025, the Amazon team supported City of Doncaster Council’s ambitious target to plant one million trees by 2031 by planting 900 tree saplings, with further planting dates scheduled. Additionally, at iPort, Amazon is developing a new hedgerow and tree area around a nature walk to enhance biodiversity.

Alex Dochery, Interim Head of Investment, Employment, and Enterprise at Business Doncaster, commented: “I am incredibly proud of the work Business Doncaster has achieved with Amazon over the years. Their continued commitment to Doncaster, from job creation to supporting community initiatives, has made a meaningful difference to the local area. I look forward to seeing this relationship strengthen even further.”