BOSSES from online retail giant Amazon say the future of its Gourock site is secure.

The reassurance was issued followed a meeting with Inverclyde MP Iain McKenzie at Westminster.

The Labour MP had asked directors for talks after fears about the plant were raised in the Telegraph.

Mr McKenzie, pictured, said: “I had a lengthy conversation with them.

“They assured me that there was no threat to the continuation of the Gourock plant.

“It is in their plans to have Gourock as the focus of their media side of the market, such as films and challenging downloads and phones.

“They want Gourock as very much their media centre.” Concerns about the future of the centre had been sparked by reports of employees being allowed to go home early through lack of work and unease about it being quiet so close to Christmas.

There was also speculation that work was being diverted elsewhere.

Bosses have admitted there was a temporary downturn in business for the facility, which opened in the town 10 years ago.

Mr McKenzie said: “There has been a lull in operations in Gourock in difficult economic times.

“In the period between the summer and Christmas there has been low demand, people have been holding off spending and putting items on the Amazon wish list to buy for Christmas.” But the MP added: “There are no plans to move any work from Gourock.” Mr McKenzie arranged talks with directors following the announcement of hundreds of seasonal jobs being created at the warehouse.

And he questioned the introduction of a voluntary severance deal of £3,500 to staff at the same time as temporary workers were being recruited.

The MP said: “I said they were sending out mixed messages but they have told me that this offer has been running in the US from day one and they are now replicating this HR policy in Europe.

“It will be made to staff every year and it is totally voluntary.” Mr McKenzie is now planning to visit Amazon to talk to staff.