A SUPER savvy businessman has launched a tasty plan to help restore the historic Queen Mary to its former glory.
Gary Lewis, who owns Jax Snax, has created a Queen Mary restoration burger and is donating half the proceeds from sales of it to a charity appeal for the vessel.
He is even inviting actor Robbie Coltrane, who is fronting the Friends of TS Queen Mary restoration campaign, to sample his new creation.
The Welsh chef, who set up his streetfood van three years ago, said: “It would be fabulous to get Robbie to try the burger at the van.
“With the Queen Mary back in Greenock I came up with the idea of a special burger. It is a hand-made steak burger, topped with Stornoway black pudding, a choice of cheese and caramelised red onions.
“We’ll sell it for £5.50 and half will go to fund.”
The last Clydebuilt turbine steamship recently came home to the Clyde after a 700-mile trip from London and is now berthed at James Watt DockCampaigners hope to raise £2m to restore the ship and turn her into a tourist attraction, with all the work to be carried out in Greenock.
Gary, who is now based in Drumfrochar Road, said: “Queen Mary is good for the local community.
“If the ship is restored, it will hopefully encourage more cruise passengers to spend time in Inverclyde rather than visit elsewhere.
“There are a lot of American tourists on these cruise liners and the Queen Mary will appeal to them.
“It would keep people in the area and everyone benefits from it.”
Trade is booming for Jax Snax, so much so that Gary is on the lookout for a larger van.
He said: “Business is getting better all the time.”
Gary wants to thank Bookers Cash and Carry and Robert Young Butchers for their input.
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