TEN new retail jobs are set to be created in Greenock – if bakery chain Greggs gets the go-ahead for a new shop in the Oak Mall.

The bakery firm has applied for permission to open a shop and seated cafe area at the former Dorothy Perkins store in the shopping centre.

The Tele understands that if the proposals are approved then between eight to 10 full and part-time jobs would be created, although the company says it cannot confirm a final figure at this stage.

A planning application has been submitted to the council seeking permission for the new premises, which would serve food for both takeaway and consumption on the premises.

In a statement as part of the application, Greggs bosses say: “We wish to apply for a mixed class 1 and class 3 use for this shop unit to form a Greggs’ retail bakery shop incorporating a customer seating area with 32 seats, but still retain the retail element for customers who buy food on the go.”

Greggs already has a shop in the centre and another long-established outlet in nearby West Blackhall Street, but it closed another branch in Gourock.

It’s not known how the plans for a new outlet could affect its existing branches in the area.

The empty mall unit targeted by Greggs has been vacant since womenswear store Dorothy Perkins closed last summer after 35 years in the town.

The unit occupies a prominent position in the shopping centre and Mall bosses have been keen to attract new tenants to it for some time. Planning bosses are now considering Greggs’ plans.

A decision on their application is expected to be made later this year.