Amazon opens London digital hub and creates 100 jobs

Amazon has officially opened its Digital Media Development Centre in East London and announced that it will be recruiting for around 100 technology-related positions at the centre in a welcome jobs boost for the capital.

These roles will include software development engineers, user-interface experts and graphic designers, according to the firm.

"The number one reason that we located the new Amazon Development Centre in London is because we believe that the capital is brimming with world class tech talent," said Paula Byrne, managing director of the centre.

"We are now looking for the most innovative and creative people to join us in designing and developing the next generation of TV and film services for a global audience."

The centre is focussed on creating new digital media projects within Amazon to offer more services to its customers such as digital services on TVs, PCs and smartphones.

The opening of the eight-floor, 47,000 square foot centre, located in Glasshouse Yard, was welcomed by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

"It's fantastic to welcome Amazon's new tech hub to London, giving the capital yet another vote of confidence from the world's leading innovators," he said.

"Boosting London's tech and media workforce is key to driving the capital's economy and helping to create jobs and growth."

The plan to open the centre was first announced in July and the deputy chief executive of the Tech City Investment Organisation's, Benjamin Southworth, said it underlined the growth the area was seeing.

"The new jobs created show that the East London tech scene is booming, and is a real economic success story," he added.