An application has been submitted to Inverclyde Council to knock down the part of the shopping centre that extends beneath the A78 High Street, up to and including the existing entrance on to Clyde Square.

The plan has been partly prompted by the need for major roadworks on the A78 which passes over the centre.

Transport Scotland has served the Mall with a statutory notice which means ‘major downtakings’ are required and a substantial part of the covered centre will disappear.

A new entrance for the shopping centre will be created at Hunter Place, similar to the existing one off Dalrymple Street.

Under the blueprint drawn up by Comprehensive Design Architects, the cleared area at Clyde Square would be ‘graded’ in levels down towards the smaller shopping centre’s new entrance ‘using a combination of ramps, steps and gently sloping surfaces, giving a stronger, safer, friendlier 24/7 pedestrian link under the A78’.

A design statement said: “A number of contributing factors have led to a high rate of vacancy within the Mall – general downturn in high street retail, increased competition from nearby Port Glasgow’s increased retail offer, and increased internet shopping.

“This has been exacerbated by continuous leaks from the main A78 trunk road which runs directly over the shopping centre.

“Transport Scotland require access to the underside of the road to enable a major repair programme to commence.

“As a result of the building owner being served with a statutory notice by Transport Scotland major downtakings are required.”

If approved, the owners said the empty land could be used for an “exciting new mixed use development” linking Clyde Square up with the smaller Mall.

The statement added: “The vacant portion of the site would be cleared and hoarded off to provide a safe access for Transport Scotland to carry out their refurbishment works.

“This future development site has potential for exciting new mixed use developments, linking Clyde Square to the new shopping centre entrance.

“Access to the underside of the A78 would, however require to be maintained for future road maintenance work.”

All images courtesy of Comprehensive Design Architects