HUNDREDS of jobs at Amazon in Gourock have been safeguarded after a peace deal was agreed between the company and its landlords.

The online retail giant had been served with an eviction notice following a dispute over its lease, with 400 workers at the Faulds Park base left fearing for the future.

Bosses from Amazon were poised to launch a court appeal against the eviction notice but this will not be necessary now after they struck a deal with real estate firm M7 to extend the lease.

The company has refused to say how long the new term is for, citing commercial confidentiality.

An Amazon spokesperson said: “We understand this has been a concerning time for our associates and are pleased to confirm we have reached an agreement with the landlord to extend the lease of our fulfilment centre in Gourock which maintains our operation in Inverclyde.”

Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan had held urgent talks with the company after details of the dispute emerged, urging them to strike a deal.

He is relieved at news of the agreement.

Mr Cowan said: “Following my recent meeting with senior management of Amazon, where I pressed the case for a resolution to be found in order to ensure the future of the 400 contractors, I’m pleased to learn Amazon have come to an agreement with the landlord to ensure the future of the fulfilment centre in Gourock.

“Common sense has prevailed and this announcement will allow the company to focus on its continued delivery in Gourock and maintain the Inverclyde jobs.”

Amazon's previous lease had expired on August 1 with no renewal signed.

An eviction notice had been served back in February giving Amazon six months to vacate the premises, but they argued they should have been entitled to a year's warning.

When the case went to the Court of Session a judge ruled in favour of M7.

Bosses from the property firm had indicated they were unhappy with the rent being paid by Amazon - around £400,000 a year for the 300,000 sq ft site - and said they wanted 'an uplift' because the figures were 15 years out of date.

No comment was available from M7 Real Estate as the Tele went to press.