A PROUD Port pensioner is launching a petition to save its town hall from being bulldozed.

Isabella Duffy, 75, is against a proposal which has sparked controversy ever since being tabled at a meeting of the council's environment and regeneration committee last month.

The idea is one of several suggestions being considered as part of a plan for a wider regeneration of the 'lower quarter' of the town centre.

Isabella, of Devol, was shocked when she read the news, highlighted by councillors Chris Curley and Kirsty Law in the Telegraph.

She said: "I read the comments on the Tele Facebook and there were 84 and only two them agreed with pulling the town hall down.

"I'm worried about the money - what if they pull it down and don't have the money to build another centre?

"You couldn't get a building any more central than the one we have.

"There are other priorities in the town, such as the Comet, and the job centre that is lying empty.

"I wanted to set up a petition because of the strength of feeling.

"I think the building should be refurbished and left where it is.

"It's in the ideal location and a lot of work was done to the pavements in front of it."

Isabella, a retired taxi and bus driver, contacted activist and former councillor Jim MacLeod, who is helping her with the petition.

Jim said: "I have grave concerns about any plans to demolish the Port town hall.

"The hall is held in such high regard by many Portonians and others from out with the town.

"The dance floor has been compared to the famous Cragburn in Gourock.

"Then there is the lesser hall and the other rooms that are used throughout the year.

"For the last 18 months the town hall was well used for Covid and flu vaccinations.

"It is a popular venue for weddings, including my own, birthday parties, anniversary functions, Christmas party nights, tea dances and is used by the community council, other groups, for blood donations, parliamentarian and councillors surgeries, conferences and seminars.

"I would worry about what kind of 'new town hall' would replace it.

"There are many other halls but they can't facilitate the numbers Port Town Hall can of almost 300 people.

"With council finances being tight where would the money come from for a new one?

"Then there would be the timescales to build it."

Mr MacLeod says flattening the building would make little sense in view of the investments made in it over the years.

He said: "Over the years a lot of money has been spent on a new entrance with automatic door opening, lifts, toilet upgrades, rewiring and heating systems and redecoration.

"It is our civic centre."

Isabella is already starting to gather paper signatures and is also planning to set up an online petition form too.

Meanwhile the controversial proposal is expected to spark further debate at a meeting of Port Glasgow Regeneration Forum, due to be held on September 19.