The decision by internet retailer Amazon.com to locate a new European customer support centre in Cork looks set to come at the expense of its operation in Slough, England.

The internet retailer announced on Wednesday that it would create up to 450 jobs at the centre at the Cork Airport Business Park.

Amazon already employs 90 people in Slough to provide support to the British and French markets.

When examining the possibility to grow the centre, the group decided the required number of people with the necessary language skills could not be found in Slough.

Having conducted research on the matter the group decided to open a new centre close to UCC.

A spokesman said the decision to close the operation at Slough had not yet been taken and Amazon was "consulting the staff". He said it was hoped that if Slough is closed many of the staff would move to Cork.

The Amazon corporate office at Slough will not be affected by the move, he said. He would not say how many people were employed at the corporate office.

Last year Amazon opened a systems and network unit at the Digital Hub. It is planned that the Cork centre will be open by summer.

The centre will require additional part-time workers during holiday periods, especially Christmas, and this was another factor in the decision to move.

As well as supporting UK and French customers, the Cork centre will also be required to provide occasional backup to the German operation.