New store opening in Greenock as part of £20 million revamp

The Tele reported that the Oak Mall store had unexpectedly shut down in September this year after decades in the town as a result of the planned partial demolition of the shopping centre.

At the time Argos said that there were no plans to move elsewhere in the shopping centre or to relocate in Inverclyde.

OTHER NEWS: Beacon Arts Centre hosts Gourock Rotary flagship awards

But in a welcome change of heart the retailer has announced that it will open a temporary 'click and collect' store next week, while confirming they plan to open a bigger store next summer.

Argos new temporary store (Image: George Munro) Argos bosses' decision to return to the town and move into another unit was hailed as a major a major boost for Greenock by town centre councillor Francesca Brennan.

"This is really positive news for our area," she said.

"Argos has been an important part of the town's retail picture for a number of years and the fact that they are going to maintain a strong presence in Greenock is really welcome.

"It also shows that Inverclyde is very much open for business and we can hope that there may be some additional jobs attached to this development.

"There are lots of people, like myself, who are committed to buying and spending locally, for all sorts of reasons.

"Inverclyde shoppers will be delighted that they can keep using Argos. Those of us who are able need to keep getting behind the shops we have here in Inverclyde to make sure we keep and even grow the range we have."

(Image: George Munro)

The £20m town centre 'levelling up' development, which includes the partial demolition of the Oak Mall and the removal of the Bullring roundabout, is aimed at reversing the decline of recent years and attracting new business.

It is thought likely that Argos will move into one of the larger units that will remain in the new look Oak Mall, where major units, including those once occupied by WH Smith and Hallmark, currently lying empty.

The eastern side of the Oak Mall, where Argos, M&Co and other units once stood, is to be bulldozed as part of the new plans.

At the same time Hector McNeil House, where the HSCP offices are located, will also be flattened and could make way for a 'learners' quarter'.

Argos Collect (Image: George Munro)

The good news from Argos also comes on the back of hundreds of job losses in Inverclyde following the loss of Amazon, EE and BPI.

When Argos closed in September we reported that staff had been told it was closing with loss of around 10 jobs.

At the time bosses said there were no plans for relocation.

Argos (Image: George Munro)

But confirming the new plans a Argos spokesman said: "Our original store in the Oak Mall had to close in September as it forms part of the comprehensive redevelopment of part of Greenock town centre.

"We are now planning to open a replacement store, also in the Oak Mall, in the part of the shopping centre that is unaffected by the redevelopment scheme. We hope to have it open by summer 2025.

"In the meantime, we have a temporary Click & Collect service opening within the Oak Mall that customers will be able to use when ordering from Argos online.

The temporary collection point is due to open next week on the 18th of November.

High street 

as follows:

Our original store in the Oak Mall had to close in September as it forms part of the comprehensive redevelopment of part of Greenock town centre.

We are now planning to open a replacement store, also in the Oak Mall, in the part of the shopping centre that is unaffected by the redevelopment scheme. We hope to have it open by summer 2025.

In the meantime, we have a temporary Click & Collect service opening within the Oak Mall that customers will be able to use when ordering from Argos online. The temporary collection point is due to open next week on the 18th of November.

THE Argos store in Greenock is set to close TODAY in a shock move by the retailer - with no plans to relocate elsewhere in Inverclyde.