TWELVE people are losing their Jobs as Oxfam moves one of its Bicester warehouses to Milton Keynes.

The Launton Road Industrial Estate warehouse, which houses imported craft products destined for the charity’s shop, has been in the town for 31 years.

Oxfam Trading bosses blamed a lack of industrial space, echoing comments by another major firm which this month announced it was quitting the town.

It will move to Milton Keynes, but 12 staff who do not want to face the 54-mile round trip will lose their jobs.

The charity’s Arkwright Road warehouse, where disaster relief stores are kept, is not affected.

Oxfam has let the 1st Southwold Scouts use part of the craft warehouse to store equipment, including a canoe, and they are now appealing for a new home.

Oxfam head of logistics Matt George said: “Oxford was too expensive, and in Bicester there just isn’t a large amount of modern industrial development around the town. It’s really sad not being able to find anything in Bicester.”

He said although its new home will be smaller, 40,000sq ft compared to 53,000sq ft, it will be taller and more energy efficient.

Mr George added: “We employed 16 people in the trading warehouse and 12 of them decided not to come with us.

“Launton Road industrial Estate needs knocking down and starting again.

“Town planners have got to understand people need modern warehousing.”

It comes after bosses at car parts wholesaler Firstline announced plans to move its 130 staff from Bessemer Close to Banbury, saying it could not find a town warehouse big enough.

Ben Jackson, chairman of Bicester Chamber of Commerce, called on Cherwell District Council as the local planning authority to ensure industrial space is available.

He said: “Jobs were lost in the town last year mainly due to a lack of appropriate options.”

He said the town had to be “serious” about attracting new businesses in light of the planned 5,000-home eco- town north west of the town.

Norman Bolster, Cherwell’s executive member for economic development and estates, said it recognised the problem.

He said it was working to “provide for future needs of businesses and how redevelopment might be enabled”.

Meanwhile, the scout group is appealing for a new home.

Colin Archer, deputy district commissioner, said: “We probably need the equivalent of a garage size space and would appeal to any local business who may be able to help us out.”

He can be contacted on 07717 875566.