A LEADING architectural firm has been drafted in to design a blueprint for the vast former IBM site in Greenock owned by millionaire businessmen Sandy and James Easdale.

The Greenock-born brothers have been on the acquisition trail over the last couple of years, snapping up several high-profile premises and plots of land across Inverclyde.

One of the largest purchases was the former IBM site at Spango Valley, which was bought for a cool £1.5 million in December 2018.

While there are currently no concrete plans for the sprawling 70-acre plot, the Easdales have brought on board top design and planning consultants.

They have hired a company called Barton Willmore, which has offices across the UK, including in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The firm has been involved in several prestigious developments around the world, from a seven-star hotel complex in Qatar to the £320m Aberdeen Harbour expansion and an extension to the Wardpark film studios in North Lanarkshire where TV series Outlander is made and where scenes were shot for the latest Avengers movie.

Top Scottish building firm Advance Construction have also been appointed to work on the Spango Valley project.

It's understood that a commercial development may be in the pipeline for the site.

Under the proposed local development plan around a third of the site is zoned for 'mixed use' development including business, industrial, storage or distribution.

Meanwhile, the Easdales are continuing their support for home town club Morton through companies in their Arranglen group, including McGill's, Arc Vehicle Rental and Blairs Windows, part of the Saveheat Group.

Family adviser Jack Irvine said: "This year has seen Sandy and James' biggest financial support for Morton, with most of the group companies taking large sponsorship deals from vans to strips. "McGill's has also sponsored the new-look dugout and team bus.

"With new management of the team and club, the Easdales are happy to take these deals on and support their local club.

"Sandy and James' companies are committed to supporting the town of Greenock and the local area, not just in football but with a wide-range of community benefits. "The brothers are great believers in businesses in local areas sharing their good fortune and supporting each other."

The Easdales have also bought the likes of Gourock bars the Old Wherry Tavern and Monteith's in recent times, as well as several sites in Greenock.

Last year, they added Cappielow Trade Park and the former Misco warehouse in Greenock to their vast property portfolio for a combined £4.2m.