Starbucks Greenock welcomes customers after 4-month wait

Manager Johnny McIlhargey says he and his team are ‘buzzing’ to finally open the doors after being hit with several delays since November last year.

There were problems with the connecting to the water supply, with overnight works taking place in recent weeks to rectify them.

Johnny - who works for Starbucks franchise business OCO - says the delay has not fazed his staff, who have been working in other branches while awaiting Greenock’s grand opening.

He told the Tele: “We’re very excited.

“It’s our first venture into Inverclyde, which is exciting for us as a franchise group.

“The guys are buzzing. They’ve not lost any momentum at all even though it’s been a wee while, which is great to see.

“These guys have been training since September in other stores. They’ve been in Paisley, Hillington, Johnston and Linwood waiting for this.”

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The venture has already created 25 new part-time and full-time jobs, with a further five roles still to be filled.

All of the staff hired so far hail from Inverclyde.

Johnny added: “This is great for the area - it’s a well-known brand across the world.

“It’s good for the local area as well because we do want to be part of this community.

“As we get settled, we’ll be looking to take part in initiatives.

Johnny with his management team (Image: Duncan Bryceland)

“We want to work with schools, get kids in and show them how to do latte art and have classes.

“We’ve got the Starbucks name, but we are like a wee family.

“I’ve felt that since I came in. Everybody wants us to do well and I’ve had a lot of help and support from other managers.”

The store opened at 6am this morning, with the first 100 customers receiving a free reusable Starbucks cup.