Campaign launched to bring historic QE2 to town

Campaigners believe the relocation of the former cruise liner to Inverclyde as a tourist attraction could be a major money spinner for the area – and create a host of new jobs.

The iconic Clydebuilt vessel, sold to developers in 2008, is languishing in Dubai and fears are growing that she could end up scrapped.

Now calls have been made for the relevant authorities to get round the table to discuss a bid to being her back to the River Clyde, the place where she was built, launched and fitted out.

Community activist John Houston, who posted a film online calling for the QE2 to come home, said: “I think it is time for a big statement to be made about Inverclyde. We need a gesture like this. The QE2 is an emotional subject for a lot of people.

“We have spent the last 40 years shipping out jobs — let’s ship them back in. There are huge opportunities to be made from the QE2 in Inverclyde.

“There are estimates that she would be worth £3million in scrap metal. She would be worth 10 times that based here.” Greenock-based MSP Stuart McMillan, pictured, also believes partners should get round the table to make a deal happen.

He said: “This would include representation from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and Clydeport “I would be more than happy to encourage all partners to get involved.

“The QE2 coming to Inverclyde would be a tremendous tourism and economic boost to the local area.

“If this project was to succeed, it would generate more jobs for the area and restore a key part of Scotland’s maritime heritage to Inverclyde.” SNP councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess says he is deeply concerned about the QE2’s fate.

He added: “In many ways she is the pinnacle of Clydeside engineering.

“She should not, and cannot be, allowed to rot in a breaker’s yard.” Thousands flocked to Greenock for the QE2’s final farewell tour in 2008.

After she was retired by Cunard, she was snapped up by Dubai World, but plans to turn her into a floating hotel stalled following the global financial crisis.

While there is enthusiasm at the prospect of bringing her to Inverclyde, a note of caution has also been sounded by local SNP leader Chris McEleny about how practical such a project may prove to be.

He said: “As as a time-served apprentice I’ve learned over the years that projects like this need major financing — a lot of money.

“It could be that the scale of finance required is too much, therefore we need a feasibility study put together very quickly to highlight if the cost would be worth it and importantly if this will help create employment.” A CAMPAIGN has been launched to save the QE2 by bringing her ‘home’ to Greenock.

Campaigners believe the relocation of the former cruise liner to Inverclyde as a tourist attraction could be a major money spinner for the area – and create a host of new jobs.

The iconic Clydebuilt vessel, sold to developers in 2008, is languishing in Dubai and fears are growing that she could end up scrapped.

Now calls have been made for the relevant authorities to get round the table to discuss a bid to being her back to the River Clyde, the place where she was built, launched and fitted out.

Community activist John Houston, who posted a film online calling for the QE2 to come home, said: “I think it is time for a big statement to be made about Inverclyde. We need a gesture like this. The QE2 is an emotional subject for a lot of people.

“We have spent the last 40 years shipping out jobs — let’s ship them back in. There are huge opportunities to be made from the QE2 in Inverclyde.

“There are estimates that she would be worth £3million in scrap metal. She would be worth 10 times that based here.” Greenock-based MSP Stuart McMillan, pictured, also believes partners should get round the table to make a deal happen.

He said: “This would include representation from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Inverclyde Council, Riverside Inverclyde and Clydeport “I would be more than happy to encourage all partners to get involved.

“The QE2 coming to Inverclyde would be a tremendous tourism and economic boost to the local area.

“If this project was to succeed, it would generate more jobs for the area and restore a key part of Scotland’s maritime heritage to Inverclyde.” SNP councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess says he is deeply concerned about the QE2’s fate.

He added: “In many ways she is the pinnacle of Clydeside engineering.

“She should not, and cannot be, allowed to rot in a breaker’s yard.” Thousands flocked to Greenock for the QE2’s final farewell tour in 2008.

After she was retired by Cunard, she was snapped up by Dubai World, but plans to turn her into a floating hotel stalled following the global financial crisis.

While there is enthusiasm at the prospect of bringing her to Inverclyde, a note of caution has also been sounded by local SNP leader Chris McEleny about how practical such a project may prove to be.

He said: “As as a time-served apprentice I’ve learned over the years that projects like this need major financing — a lot of money.

“It could be that the scale of finance required is too much, therefore we need a feasibility study put together very quickly to highlight if the cost would be worth it and importantly if this will help create employment.”