INVERCLYDE’S recently elected MP has renewed a campaign pledge to summon the area’s business leaders after being called on to secure a future for EE’s soon-to-be vacant Greenock site.

Labour’s Martin McCluskey, who defeated SNP rival Ronnie Cowan in the July 4 poll, was asked by businessmen brothers Sandy and James Easdale to work with them in finding a solution for the company’s call centre, which is set to close before the end of the year.

The billionaire siblings purchased the 60,000 sq/ft premises for a seven-figure sum earlier this month after the communications firm announced that it would be relocating to Glasgow – taking 450 locally-based jobs out of the district.

EE contact centre in GreenockEE contact centre in Greenock (Image: George Munro)

Branding the recent withdrawal of posts from the region – which includes the departures of Amazon, IBM and the Berry BPI plastics factory - as a ‘bitter pill to swallow’, Sandy Easdale said: “At this stage, it seems unlikely that EE will reverse its decision to leave Greenock but we are more than willing to work with government and other partners to see if a solution can be found.

“We would be pleased to talk to the new Labour MP Martin McCluskey to see if he could bring his influence to bear with party leader Anas Sarwar to see if there is a solution.”

James and Sandy EasdaleJames and Sandy Easdale (Image: Jeff Holmes / JSHPIX)

Sibling James added: “We are committed to working with others to see if we can keep EE in the town and if that is not possible, we will want to see if we can find a new tenant for the building who will bring jobs to the area.

“Inverclyde is a great place to work and live and it is vital that politicians play their part in making that case to businesses and investors more vigorously.”

Mr McCluskey told the Telegraph that he has not yet had contact with the brothers regarding the issue - but said he would welcome the opportunity to discuss ideas to improve Inverclyde.

Martin McCluskeyMartin McCluskey (Image: House of Commons)

He said: “I have previously been in touch with EE regarding the closure of their site. I was very disappointed regarding their approach to the closure and met with EE management to communicate this to them.

“It was an insult to hard-working staff at the site who have been loyal for years.

“As I promised during the election campaign, I’m planning to meet with Inverclyde’s largest private sector employers over the next couple of months.

“As well as working to attract new business into the area, it’s also crucial that we work with our existing employers to hold on to all the jobs we currently have.”