UP to 70 new jobs are to be created at a furniture supplier.

Bosses at Oceans International made the pledge after moving from the company’s previous headquarters at Horley, near Banbury, to a 25-acre development at the former Hella UK site on Norwal Way.

The multi-million pound building, which has been empty for three years, will accommodate the company’s growing workforce which has already expanded from 14 to 67 staff in the last year.

Managing director Jonathan Aylmer said: “Our operation has seen exponential growth over the last two years and we became aware that our current warehouse and offices were not going to be sufficient for our five-year growth plans.

“It is a wonderful site and a superb building.

“I’m proud to be able to keep my company headquartered in Banbury.”

Oxfordshire Home Stores, part of the Oceans Group of companies, has a store in Castle Quay in the town centre, so staying in area was high on the company’s lsit of priorities.

Mr Aylmer added: “2010 is going to be a massive year – with stock holding at its highest level yet and our continued recruitment and expansion plans, we needed to look towards a site that could better fit our needs.”