A POPULAR Greenock cocktail bar and restaurant is set to re-open.

Stephen Heggie from Greenock, who has worked in bars and restaurants up and down the country for the past 20 years, says he can’t wait to welcome customers back to Twist again.

The West Blackhall Street venue shut down at short notice earlier this year, leaving customers disappointed.

The 37-year-old told the Tele: “After 20 years of working in bars and restaurants all over the country, this is about coming home and putting down some roots.

“When I looked at the restaurant, you can see that a good amount of money has been spent here — it looks nice and is in pristine condition.

“I want to keep the heart and the soul of what Janice Spella created because she has done a cracking job and it was so popular.”

Twist suddenly closed its doors in May, with management saying the decision was taken ‘with deep regret due to retirement’. 

Now Stephen, who has worked in an array of high end eateries — including Glasgow seafood restaurant Gamba — is determined to add his own special twist to the venue.

The former Greenock Academy pupil added: “We’ll be offering higher end food and drink with  friendly service at affordable prices.

“We are confident that it will be better quality but still with a pub-like manner.”

As a former cocktail bar tender, Stephen also hopes his new drinks menu will tickle the tastebuds.

He said: “Janice started the cocktail vibe so we want to continue that and bring a city centre slickness to a local demographic at affordable prices.”

Stephen says he has been thrilled by the level of interest shown by people enquiring about jobs.

He said: “Between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning I received over 100 job applications.

“It just shows how popular Twist is.

“Fiona Smith, who worked in Chido next door is the new assistant manager and the head chef will be Chris Cusack.

“I will also be looking for front of house staff and a couple of people to work in the kitchen.”

Stephen says he hopes to re-open Twist by mid to late August, subject to obtaining licences from Inverclyde Council.