A motor parts firm is moving its headquarters out of Oxford.

After 20 years based at Cowley, Unipart Automotive is relocating to Bicester to create a flagship regional distribution centre.

It has been given the go-ahead by Cherwell District Council to move to the former Oxfam building in Murdock Road, Bicester, where it will create more parking spaces, increase office space and make changes to the front and side of the 3,635sq m building.

Last year a controlling share of Unipart Automotive was bought by H2 Equity Partners from Unipart Group and it was set up as an independent business.

Unipart Automotive’s Bicester head office will be the firm’s largest distribution centre in the country and will supply stock to 12 other branches.

About 100 staff will relocate to Bicester including its regional call centre, and a further 10 jobs will be created in the warehouse and distribution operation.

Unipart Automotive’s marketing manager Andrew Jeffrey said: “These new premises are in the best location for Unipart Automotive to fulfil our objectives of providing the largest distribution site and branch facility for our customers, suppliers and local branches.

“The Unipart Group’s massive distribution centre based at Cowley will continue as the main logistics centre for Unipart Automotive nationwide.

“In September last year, H2 Equity Partners bought a 50.1 per cent stake in UA, creating an independent business in which the Unipart Group still has a substantial share. It makes sense for us to develop our culture and infrastructure in an environment that brings the business functions together for the benefit of all our stakeholders.”

One attraction of Bicester was its excellent transport links, the firm said. Staff will move to the town in September.

The firm has pledged to use local firms for services including printing, maintenance and gym membership.

Bicester Chamber of Commerce chairman Ben Jackson said: “It is a huge vote of confidence for Bicester.”

But Cowley city councillor Bryan Keen said: “My concern is losing a workforce from Oxford.”

l Oxfam relocated to Milton Keynes in November 2010, and the warehouse has been empty since then.