TRADERS in Port Glasgow have welcomed news that work is about to start on the new drive-through Burger King.

Members of the Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum have been shown plans for the new restaurant which will be built on the site of the former filling station off the A8. 

Local businessman Drew McKenzie, who represents the traders on the forum, thinks the BK outlet will breathe fresh life into an eyesore gap site.

Drew, who owns Robert Alexander Butchers in Princes Street, said: “It’s a big improvement on what is there just now.

“This is another step in the regeneration of Port Glasgow.

“There is a lot of work being done by the regeneration forum and hopefully that will continue after the election.

“The one thing we can’t lose sight of is the regeneration of Port Glasgow.”

Drew believes this is an exciting time for Port Glasgow.

He said: “Greggs are going to open in the town so it shows that there is confidence out there in Port Glasgow.

“We are confident that traffic from the retail park will spill over into the Port town centre so we want it to be fit for purpose.

“It’s all very positive and the regeneration forum is working very well for the town.

“I represent the Port Glasgow traders on the forum and there are also representatives from the council and Riverside Inverclyde and the community.”

Work on the new Burger King at the former Clydeport filling station in Port Glasgow is expected to start in the next few weeks.

The barren site is owned by a company called Raphaelson Holdings Limited, which is registered at an address in Clydebank. 

Bosses at the fast food giant have said that the restaurant will create new jobs in the area.

In May last year, bosses at Burger King announced plans to close their long standing outlet in Greenock town centre.

However, the restaurant on West Blackhall Street remains open and it’s unclear whether staff at Greenock could be redeployed to the Port development.

Burger King failed to respond to our request for a comment.