THE shabby state of parts of Gourock's Shore Street is causing concern for councillors and local residents.

Town representatives Ronnie Ahlfeld and Lynne Quinn say they are keen to see what can be done to rejuvenate the street after several shops closed down and parts of buildings decayed.

There are at least 12 empty premises on the main road, while nearby Kempock Street has flourished.

Councillor Ahlfeld lived in the street until he was 12 and says it was a vibrant and popular shopping community.

He said: "Discounting pubs and restaurants, there were at least forty different shops between what is now Eastern View and the pierhead.

"Butchers, bakers, newsagents, general stores, greengrocers and fishmongers all plied their trade on Shore Street.

"Those halcyon days are now long gone.

"While Kempock Street has been widely acclaimed nationally for its transformation, to a large extent Shore Street has been left behind.

"At specific spots there are deteriorating and eyesore properties which detract not just from the street but also the town."

He described the corner at John Street, pictured, as a 'dilapidated mess which once was home to a bank, off licence and travel shop'.

Permission had been granted for a burger chain to move into a unit underneath the flats at the corner but this has stalled, with the street blocked off for safety reasons.

Structural repairs are required to the building but there has been no discernible progress made on the site three years on.

Mr Ahlfeld added: "The John Street situation is a complicated, legal mess and as yet officials have been unable to resolve this."

Councillor Quinn added: "There was a restaurant chain who wanted to use the the property at the bottom but because the building has been deemed unsafe it would take all the private owners and landlords above to get together to make the building safe and secure.

"The council is working with private owners to reach a solution.

"Owners cannot sell their properties in the building's current condition.

"The council is limited in what it can do and has had to put barriers around the building.

"As this process will take a period of time, I think we should be looking at erecting picture boards to make the area more attractive in the meantime."

But she praised other businesses along the street who have done a lot to make their shopfronts attractive in Shore Street.

Cllr Quinn said: "It's about improving these wee pockets and pulling it all together and investing in these properties which are in a state of repair, perhaps looking at getting some grant funding."

Cllr Ahlfeld says he would welcome the input of residents and business owners to look at ways to improve the street.

He said: "The shops are privately owned - should we provide grant and provide funding to upgrade?

"What new projects and initiatives could be introduced to improve things?

"These are the things we need to discuss."