TWO long-established Greenock town centre shops are set to close.

The H Samuel jewellery store and RS McColl newsagents, both located in the Oak Mall shopping centre, will pull down the shutters for the final time next month.

The Tele understands that the closure at Samuel's affects six staff members and three members of staff who work at the newsagent's.

One source, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "Profits are down at the RS McColl shop.

"It was just not making enough money, so they've decided to close.

"A lot of the shops are shutting at that side of the mall, there's no passing trade.

"It's sad as the shop has been here for years and years."

Another source who contacted the Tele said two more empty units in the shopping centre was yet another bodyblow for the town centre.

They said: "It is another blow to the already decimated Oak Mall and there are now jobs at risk as well."

A spokesperson for McColl's Retail Group confirmed that the shop will close for the final time on Friday August 16.

They said: “Having explored all options, regretfully we have taken the difficult decision not to renew the lease at the McColl’s store in Oak Mall on Hamilton Way.

“We are saddened to no longer be operating the store and our priority will be to support all affected colleagues.”

Bosses at H Samuel say their store will close the following day, Saturday August 17.

They said: "We continually re-assess our portfolio of stores on a store by store basis, particularly when individual store leases come up for renewal.

"This particular closure bears no reflection upon the future plans of the Signet business estate overall within the UK.

"We are sorry to be leaving Greenock, however we do have an H Samuel store less than thirty minutes away at Braehead Shopping Centre."