Hachette UK, which has been based at Milton Park, near Didcot, for 24 years, has almost doubled its operations to nearly 300,000 square feet.

The expansion includes a new site at 188 Park Drive, which will provide extra storage and allow the publisher to increase its book distribution services both in the UK and internationally.

Hachette, which has a legacy in Oxford dating back to the 1980s through its predecessor Bookpoint, currently ships 65 million copies from its Milton Park facility.

The expansion is expected to increase the company’s workforce by around 15 per cent.

Matt Wright, CEO at Hachette UK Distribution, said: “We have an ambitious goal to deliver one in every two books sold in the UK.

“With the best site, technology, and team behind us, the expansion at Milton Park brings us ever closer to that goal and allows us to serve a growing audience of readers who are discovering or rediscovering the joy of physical books.

“This reflects our core mission – to make it easy for everyone to discover new worlds of ideas, learning, entertainment, and opportunity by ensuring that we make it easy to get more books to more readers.”

Mr Wright also noted a shift back towards physical book sales, saying books are still “great value” for the entertainment they provide.

He added: “As we head into Christmas, we want to keep prices down as much as possible for more cost-conscious buyers and we can do just that through driving efficiencies in our new facility.”

Sir Chris Hoy’s book, ‘All That Matters’, was highlighted by Mr Wright as a potential bestseller this festive season.

Philip Campbell, commercial director at Milton Park, said: “No matter their size, we are always delighted to see our occupiers grow from strength to strength at Milton Park.

“It’s particularly rewarding when we can work closely with them, playing a small role in their story by providing the space and flexibility so they can write their next chapter of growth.

“Having had a Milton Park presence since 2000, Hachette is one of our largest and long-standing occupiers.

“They have deep-rooted partnerships with other occupiers, such as the distribution collaboration with Taylor & Francis, and as donors to the Didcot Powerhouse Fund.

“I hope the additional space and facilities help Hachette with their ambition of delivering one in every two books in the UK.

“In amongst the millions of books they distribute, I’ll certainly be happy if Sir Chris Hoy’s new book finds its way under my tree this Christmas.”