CONCERNS have been raised about the perilous condition of a Greenock town centre building which is right next to a busy main road.

The former Emporium Outlet on Dalrymple Street is in a state of disrepair with the internal roof appearing to have caved in.

Debris has also fallen through into a doorway next to the public pavement.

Inverclyde Council building standards officials say they have no ‘immediate concerns’ with the condition of the property but that they are keeping tabs on the situation and have made contact with the owners.

The shop, which also has an entrance on West Blackhall Street, has been closed for some time and is currently for sale for offers in the region of £200,000.

One local resident said: “You can see through the windows that the roof has collapsed and debris from it appears to have came right down and through the ceiling of the doorway.

“It is in a worrying state, especially since it’s right next to a well-used pavement and Dalrymple Street.”

The property is being marketed by Colliers International for offers in the region of £200,000.

It is listed as being ‘under offer’ on the company’s website.

Nobody from the organisation was available for comment about the condition of the building when contacted by the Tele.

Council officials say they are monitoring the situation.
A spokesman said: “We have had a look at the building and although we have no immediate concerns we are pursuing the matter with the owners.”

Emporium Outlet was a well-known local furniture shop also specialising in garden goods, tools and other hardware.

It is one of a number of high-profile shop closures to have hit Greenock town centre, particularly West Blackhall Street, in recent times.

Last month the head of Inverclyde Chamber of Commerce said it was ‘concerning’ that so many retailers have disappeared from the area.