AN INVERCLYDE holiday complex is set to double its capacity to nearly 1,000 people and a popular Greenock filling station will soon be selling alcohol following approval decisions by the district's licensing board.

Wemyss Bay Caravan Park is extending its outdoor beer garden area and will have an outlet called 'Scoops' for selling ice cream after board members backed the bid for a 'great addition' to facilities.

Councillors voted to grant Parkdean Holiday Parks’ application to vary its premises licence on the condition that it obtain a building warrant for the new additions and approval from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Occupancy capacity figures are now set to increase from 500 to 923 patrons.

As well as 'Scoops', the park has also been granted permission for new food servery facilities to provide snacks, meals, soft drinks, teas, coffees and sell alcohol.

A representative for Parkdean told the meeting the new additions would help bring more people into Inverclyde.

They said: “It is a fairly complex application, but it really is to include mostly that external space, which I hope you agree is a great addition to the holiday park.

“They’ve really reacted to customer demand here and they’re making improvements just to give them that competitive edge and continue to attract visitors to Wemyss Bay.”

Wemyss Bay councillor Paul Cassidy, who moved to grant the licence subject to conditions, said: “I’m a ward member so I know the park very well, it is well run and highly regarded by the local community.

“I’m sure what they’re looking for will be a great addition.”

At the same meeting, licensing board members also approved an application from Motor Fuel Ltd, who sought a provisional premises licence for the Greenock Rue End Service Station near Morrisons.

A description of the premises provided ahead of the meeting said it would be a general convenience store operating next to the petrol station forecourt, which would not be part of the Morrisons supermarket premises.

The premises would offer takeaway food on the go as well as off sale facilities.

A representative for Motor Fuel Ltd gave councillors a detailed overview of the service station’s facilities before asking them to back the application.

They said: “I’m grateful for your patience in listening to me and I would submit that the evidence before you is sufficient to satisfy the statutory test and against that background and there being no other grounds for refusal invite you to grant the application.

“Hopefully under Motorfuel this site can move forward with an improved offer for the local customers.”

Licensing Board members opted to grant the application.