AMAZON has confirmed that its new Bolton hub will open in 2018.

The global tech giant will now begin recruiting staff for 1,200 full-time jobs for its Logistics North distribution site, in Over Hulton.

Stefano Perego, Amazon’s Director of UK Customer Fulfilment, said: “We are thrilled to begin recruitment for 1,200 new permanent roles in Bolton with competitive wages and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.”

The site will be equipped with advanced Amazon Robotics technology, which allow robots to slide under a tower of shelves where products are stowed, lift it and move it through the fulfilment centre.

Amazon has started recruiting for a range of new roles for the fulfilment centre, including operations managers, engineers, HR and IT specialists.

Bolton will be the third Amazon fulfilment centre in the North West and will take the number of permanent jobs Amazon has created in the region to more than 3,500, as it expands its UK operation to meet increasing customer demands.

The addition of Amazon to the growing employment hub, which also houses major sites for companies including Aldi and MBDA, was described as a 'real coup' by town hall bosses when the news was first revealed by The Bolton News yesterday.

Amazon revealed as long-awaited retail giant creating at least 1,200 jobs at Logistics North site in Over Hulton

The company says that its permanent fulfilment centre employees start on a salary on £7.65 per hour, which is raised to £8.15 an hour or more after two years of employment.

It added that all permanent employees working in the company’s fulfilment centres receive stock grants, which over the last five years were equal to £1,000 or more per year per employee.

Martin Lane, managing editor of comparison site money.co.uk, said: “It’s great Amazon are creating new opportunities for workers. 

“However, I’m still concerned they are potentially hindering competition which could mean higher prices for shoppers in the long run. 

“Competition is good for consumers and they are making life difficult for small start-ups and the self-employed who simply can’t compete with their prices.

“After the BBC exposé on their employment practices last year, I imagine Amazon will be ensuring they observe squeaky clean processes and be committed to safe and legal hours.”