Internet retail giant Amazon has opened its facility at Airport City Manchester ahead of the exceptionally busy festive shopping period.

Creating more than 1,500 new jobs, the fulfilment centre is located in Airport City’s Global Logistics district alongside DHL’s established operation and the currently under-construction 130,000 sq ft ALPHA logistics facility.

Handling thousands of items purchased from the Amazon website every day, the fulfilment centre is based in a 260,000 sq ft industrial unit, which has gained additional floor space with the addition of two internal mezzanine levels taking the building up to 654,000 sq ft.

Lynda Shillaw, CEO of MAG Property, said: “The fulfilment centre at Airport City Manchester will become an important part of Amazon’s UK and international operations.  With our exceptional air, rail and road links, establishing this facility makes perfect sense for a logistics-driven business such as Amazon and demonstrates Airport City’s growing status as an attractive location for multi-national businesses.”