Gourock's Old Wherry Tavern to reopen under new landlords

The Old Wherry Tavern on Shore Street has been welcoming people for more than 100 years – and it will continue to do so after Greenock entrepeneur Billy Gray and his wife Charmayne took on a long-term lease for the property.

Owned by Inverclyde businessmen Sandy and James Easdale’s Dalglen Property Investments, the The Wherry had been vacant since then end of January.

Billy will run the bar with the help of his family, inlcuding his two daughters who will be working at the bar.

The new venture will run alongside Billy and Charmayne’s other business, Gourock Bakers, which they have been successfully running for seven years.

The pub has been closed since January (Image: Bowman Rebecchi)

Over the years, Billy has enjoyed a varied career in hospitality, having previously overseen fish and chip shops, ice cream shops and outside catering operations.

He said: “Both Charmayne and I are delighted to be able to reopen The Wherry and we’ve been delighted by the support we have received from regulars and visitors so far.

“We know how well-loved the bar is in Gourock and so many people have shared with us their delight that it is back in operation.

“It has always been an ambition of ours to own a bar and we are delighted to be taking on this opportunity.”

The bar has undergone a revamp since the couple picked up the keys in May, with the internal and external features being renovated. 

Charmayne added: “We’ve tried to modernise certain elements of the bar and have given the external of the property a facelift, all of which helps attract more people to come back in or pop in for the first time.

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“We’ve already enjoyed some great trade and we’ve several theme nights lined up to help support footfall during the week.

”Our next aim is to begin to serve food from the Bakers which will further support both businesses and provide a unique offering in Gourock.”

“On a personal note, we want to thank the owners and also the staff at Bowman Rebecchi for their ongoing help and guidance throughout this process.”

The tenancy is the latest successful letting for Bowman Rebecchi, who acted as the agent for the landlords.

The property firm’s director Andrew Bowman said: “This is further good news for Gourock as it continues to thrive, and we would like to wish Billy and Charmayne every success with the new venture.”