Amazon is to create 500 jobs as the Wakefield industrial scheme in West Yorkshire reaches completion.

Industrial development Wakefield515, which is situated on a 28-acre plot and features yards of up to 100m and rainwater harvesting systems, a PV ready roof and LED motion sensor lighting, has already been snapped up by Amazon.

The facility is expected to create up to 500 new jobs for the region, as well as generating £5.5m for the local economy.

Global technology specialist Thoughtworks has announced plans to open its third UK office in the North East.

The Chicago-headquartered tech business, which employs more than 9,000 people across 48 offices in 17 countries, is set to open its new office in Newcastle. The city centre base will become a centralised operations hub, servicing national and international clients.

Staying in the North-East, automotive retailer Vertu Motors has announced it is set to create up to 50 new jobs at its Gateshead offices, as it aims to “revamp” the car buying process.

The revamp includes a new centralised retention and prospecting team, focusing on looking after the current customer base, as well launching a concierge service that will offer customers their own specialist partner to guide them through the online buying process.

As part of this revamp, Steve Rowe also joins as group sales director.

Finally, a London food and drink importer is set to create around 30 jobs as it acquires a new regional distribution centre.

Wanis International Foods has acquired a new 100,000 sq ft regional distribution centre at SEGRO Park in Rainham for an undisclosed amount. The company said that the new centre will create around 30 jobs for the local area.

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