A GREENOCK entrepreneur has left a prominent role at a bakery chain after almost 15 years to bring a historic Greenock café back to life.

Billy Gray and his family have taken on a long-term lease for the Orangefield Café and have renamed the popular diner Café Gray.

The Holmscroft Street eaterie dates back to the 1920s and was once owned by Dino Pieri before he retired in 2013.

Billy has left his role as transport and delivery manager at Aulds the Bakers after 14 years to run the new café venture.

With support from his wife Charmayne and the couple's two daughters, he's now serving up hearty food to customers from all over the town.

Billy has previously run fish and chip shops and has also worked in the ice cream business and in outside catering.

Commercial property services firm Bowman Rebecchi acted as the letting agent in the deal.

The Grays have been operating the Gourock Bakers for the last six years and see the café as a 'natural progression' for them.

Billy said: "We're delighted to finally be open.

"To be based at such a well-known local landmark is fantastic.

"Everything just feels right about the location and there's an opportunity for us to see great footfall from local people, the different trades around here, and from school pupils.

"We're grateful to Bowman Rebecchi for their help so far."

The café will be open for sit-in and takeaway and will dish out favourites like filled rolls, fish and chips, curries and lasagne.

Bowman Rebecchi director Andrew Bowman believes the café will be a great success with the Grays at the helm.

He added: "We're delighted to have been able to support Billy with his aims and we wish him and his family every success with the new venture.

"With Billy’s career and experience, we expect the café to become very popular.

"Bowman Rebecchi continues to receive a high level of interest in commercial sites across Inverclyde despite the ongoing challenging conditions."