A mystery bidder is locked in discussions about buying the former One Ashton Road premises, pictured, which have been shut for over four months.

Bosses who were in charge of the pub, restaurant and music venue failed to strike a deal with the owners to buy the property outright after leasing it for 18 months.

They said the valuation was ‘miles away’ from the offer on the table and said this left them with no choice but to call last orders in November.

There now appears to be light at the end of the tunnel, with the property said to be ‘under offer’.

The waterfront venue, formerly the Firth Hotel, is being marketed by chartered surveyors DM Hall with offers in excess of £145,000 being sought.

Negotiations are currently going through the legal process after the closing date for bids passed last month.

Chartered surveyor David Reid, who is overseeing the sale, remained tight-lipped about the bid but says there has been ‘a bit of interest’ in the waterfront property.

He said: “We are dealing with the marketing of the property.

“We’re in discussions with a purchaser but it’s by no means a done deal.

“It won’t be this week or next, probably over the next month or two.

“But there’s been a bit of interest in it.” The property has seating space for around 100 people on the ground floor bar and restaurant area.

There are 13 hotel bedrooms upstairs but this floor is said to need ‘significant refurbishment’.

A deal for the Gourock venue comes as another prominent bar and restaurant in Inverclyde is put on the market.

Shammy Shuffles on Cathcart Street — formerly The Square — has been put up for sale.

The town centre premises have been closed for several weeks.

A notice in the window seeks someone to take over the lease or buy the property outright.

It is being marketed by local estate agents BestMove.