A LARGE UK retailer has signed a deal to move into Greenock's Oak Mall - with more interested parties also waiting in the wings.

Gifts and stationery chain The Works is set for a move into the shopping centre imminently.

It is unclear how many jobs will be created in total but the discount retailer is advertising for a manager and assistant boss.

Greenock Jobcentre have announced that they are assisting the company with the recruitment process for the Mall shop.

It comes as shopping centre bosses reveal they have secured two more tenants, with talks ongoing with other interested parties.

Electronic cigarette shop Vaporium has now opened up in the former Leo's cafe unit in Hamilton Gate while a deal has been signed with a new convenience store, Oak News, to move into the prime corner unit at the West Blackhall Street entrance, which was previously occupied by jewellers Chisholm Hunter and Pieri's ice cream parlour and coffee shop.

The Tele contacted The Works several times for a comment but received no response.

Shopping centre chiefs also refused to be drawn on the company's arrival in the town centre but did confirm that interest in the Mall is high.

Operations manager, Peter Clark, said: "We are in negotiations with a number of new retailers who are looking at the Oak Mall."

New arrival The Works has over 475 stores across the UK and Ireland and is in the Sunday Times' 2019 'top 25 big companies to work for' list.

According to the firm's website, the retailer specialises in the sale of value gifts, arts, crafts, toys, books and stationery.