Public to get a peek at Amazon centre

Amazon is to throw open its doors to the public this summer for free guided tours of the firm’s giant centre in Fife.

The company, celebrating its fifth year in Dunfermline, recently welcomed more than 250 children, teachers and parents from local primary schools into its site as it confirmed plans for wider public tours starting on July 20.

The pupils were the first to get a behind-the-scenes look at the centre, the size of 15 football pitches.

On the tour they saw how Amazon workers pick and pack products shipped from Dunfermline to customers around the world – and now everyone will get the chance to do likewise over the coming weeks.

Paul Ashraf, general manager, said: “We’re extremely proud of the efforts of everyone who works in our fulfilment centres and opening Dunfermline up to these tours is the perfect way to recognise all of their achievements.

“We’re excited to share some of the exciting things we do in Dunfermline to deliver a high quality of service to our customers and look forward to welcoming people through our doors in the coming months.”

Dunfermline will be the third site in the UK to offer public tours, joining those in Hemel Hempstead and Rugeley where tours have been taking place since 2015.

Since they were launched, more than 6,000 people have been on them.

Jemma Thomas, a teacher at Crossgates Primary School, said: “We really enjoyed our tour and had a fascinating insight into how Amazon delivers customer orders from Dunfermline.

“From experiencing the sheer size of the building to understanding the technology that makes Amazon work, the staff and pupils from Crossgates found the trip both inspirational and educational. ”

The tours are open to anyone over the age of six.

Each lasts about one hour and the maximum number of participants is 30.

Members of the public can sign up for the Dunfermline tour at www. amazonfctours.co.uk

Pupils from Duloch Primary get a tour of Amazon. Picture: Fraser Band.