OAK Mall bosses are being asked for an urgent meeting to discuss Marks and Spencer’s bombshell decision to move next year from Greenock to the Port retail park.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan says it’s unfortunate M&S could not run two stores in both Greenock and Port Glasgow — and now wants talks with management at the shopping centre over its future.

The Mall’s owners say they are continuing to invest in the centre, and anticipate announcing new stores soon.

But the MSP said it was ‘evident that the Oak Mall is having some difficulty in retaining key local businesses, and encouraging further companies to set up’. 

Mr McMillan said: “I have requested an urgent meeting with the Oak Mall managers to see what is being done to encourage business into the town centre.”

Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe says the M&S move was ‘bad news for Greenock but good news for Port Glasgow’.

He added: “I’m glad M&S are remaining in Inverclyde.”

The high street giant’s decision to quit Greenock has been attributed, by Depute Provost David Wilson, to car parking problems in the town centre.
But Labour councillors Martin Brennan and Jim Clocherty, whose ward includes the town centre, disagree.

Cllrs Brennan and Clocherty said in a statement: “We are not convinced about the car parking argument. Members of the business community lobbied against a parking free for all.

“Similar towns are experiencing problems in their high streets.

“It is positive that M&S are staying in Inverclyde, but very disappointing that they are leaving Greenock.

“We would like to know more about the rationale behind the decision.”