Amazon plans to increase capacity and truck parking at Rugeley DC

Online retail giant Amazon has submitted plans to double capacity at its distribution centre in Rugeley, Staffordshire, creating 350 permanent jobs.

The firm hopes to increase capacity by installing a mezzanine floor within its 700,000ft² warehouse (pictured), which is located on a 16.2 hectare site at the Towers Business Park.

Planning documents also showed that it hopes to develop an on site lorry park with space for up to 40 HGVs, along with showers and toilet facilities. This will reduce the number of trucks parking on the road outside the DC and allow drivers to park on site if they are early for their deliveries, the documents said.

If the plans are approved by Cannock Chase Council, work is expected to begin in the autumn.

The retailer expects to increase its permanent workforce at the site to around 950 staff, with plans to recruit 2,500 seasonal staff for the Christmas peak.

Amazon also plans to open four more depots for its delivery operation, Amazon Logistics, this year. A spokeswoman for Amazon said it “did not have any further information to share” on the Rugeley DC or the proposed locations for the four depots.