BUSINESSMEN Sandy and James Easdale have prevented time being called on one of Inverclyde’s oldest pubs — by snapping it up.

The McGill’s owners have stepped in and bought Gourock’s Old Wherry Tavern, which is believed to date back to the 1870s.

It was recently put up for sale and the bus firm bosses, who have a variety of other business interests in the area, made an offer.

The brothers had been known to visit the pub over the years with their father and have now taken over the reins of the Shore Street premises — and vowed to keep it as a traditional bar.

Their spokesman, Jack Irvine, said: “The Easdale boys and their dad James have used the pub for years and they know the owner really well.

“When it came up for sale the brothers wanted to keep it as a real pub.

“It also fits nicely into the fast growing conglomerate of Easdale interests which all have one thing in common — they make money.”

The Tele approached the current proprietor of the pub for a comment on the sale but he abruptly declined.

It is unclear how old the pub actually is but the sign above the close next door — Lorne Place — is dated 1870.

A new landlord is now being sought to run the business.

It is currently being marketed by Kempock Street-based Rebecchi Lettings and is described as ‘fully furnished and ready to operate’.

The Old Wherry is the latest Gourock pub to be saved from closure in recent times.

Late last year, Kirsteen Murray, who is originally from Greenock, stepped in to rescue The Albert Hotel after it shut down suddenly in April.

She plans to retain the public bar but focus more on the accommodation side of the business and open up the five guest rooms, with work ongoing at the building.