A POPULAR Greenock cafe is getting ready to make a splash as it seeks permission to open a new branch in Gourock.

Marco Medinelli, owner of the Esplanade Cafe, is hoping council planners will back his bid to bring his business's famous ice cream to Kempock Street.

The move is the first time the Campbell Street cafe has branched out in over 80 years of operation and Marco says he plans to create up to four new staff to support the move.

The new premises will be keeping the familiar Esplanade Cafe name.

Marco, 57, hopes the new cafe can be trading within a month or so if council officials approve a 'change of use' application for the premises.

He said: "It's going to be a lot of work, but we're excited.

"My wife Tania and I will split our time between the two cafes to start with, but we're hoping we can get someone who can run the Gourock one with three or four staff.

"It'll be exactly the same as we do up here."

Marco has been running the cafe for more than 30 years, having taken over the business from his parents.

He plans to offer cakes, hot food and his home-made ice cream at the new branch.

While the pandemic was a tough time for Marco and his wife Tania, the pair say that the business is now doing better than ever.

Marco said: "It was hard when we had to close down during the pandemic but since we've opened back up it's been great.

"We must be one of the busiest cafes around.

"The weather's been good lately and the customers have been brilliant.

"We get a lot of Gourock people who come to our Greenock cafe, so hopefully they'll want to go to the new premises.

"It'll take pressure off the Greenock cafe, as on sunny days the queue can reach right along to the Esplanade.

"We hope that Gourock will like us as much as Greenock does."