Ocado is to open a distribution spoke in Oxford.

The etail grocer said the spoke will allow it to facilitate 10,000 orders per week, and create up to 170 jobs.

It has acquired the effective freehold of a 2.3 acre site at White Horse Business Park in Stanford-in-the-Vale.

Work to upgrade the 43,000 sq ft of warehouse and office space will start immediately, and the spoke is set to open in November.

It will operate with 65 vans at peak capacity, adding to Ocado’s existing 770 delivery vehicles. The spoke will take capacity from Ocado’s regional distribution sites in Weybridge and Coventry, and its central Hatfield site.

Chief executive Tim Steiner said: “We are fully focussed on increasing our capacity to meet customer demand, and to drive further strong growth and first-class service. This new distribution spoke site, which will be our third this year when it opens in November, clearly demonstrates that. We are extremely pleased to be extending the Ocado service and creating more local jobs.”