A cancer diagnosis inspired an entrepreneur to venture back into the business world to reinvent an Italian kitchen and wine bar in Kilmacolm.
Danny McIntyre, 65, was enjoying a successful career in recruitment, founding the multi-million-pound firm Primestaff and keeping control for 25 years before selling it to management in 2018.
The Paisley-born father-of-one spent a year travelling the globe with his wife Christine and then took on an operational role with the hospitality group Yes To All to navigate recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, Danny’s life took a turn in January last year when a routine health check following a cough revealed prostate cancer.
The disease was detected early, and radiotherapy treatment at Beatson Cancer Centre in Glasgow ensued.
(Image: Punto)
This experience led Danny, who also recovered from a stroke in 2021, to consider his priorities, igniting a desire to run a business once again.
He stumbled upon the opportunity he craved at Punto, a restaurant set in the heart of Kilmacolm.
The previous owners wished to sell, and Danny saw an opportunity to get back in business and revamp a venue in need of reinvigoration, serving a community that expected it.
He said: “I wouldn’t have done this before the cancer. I was lucky to catch it so early, and I met plenty of people who weren’t during my treatment.
"It made me realise that I wanted to be busy. I needed a project that would have me more involved with people – that’s the part I loved most at Primestaff, and Yes To All – working with people every day and building a successful business around them.
"Luckily my wife Christine, who has been my absolute rock through everything, agreed, and we haven’t looked back.”
Punto came under the leadership of Danny and Christine in March, with the 42-seater restaurant being fully booked on weekends.
An integral part of Danny's plan to boost Punto’s prosperity has been promoting the establishment as a daytime hub for local community groups and older generations of the village.
The effort comprises accessible lunch menus and reasonable prices.
He said: “Kilmacolm was crying out for another restaurant that is also a hub of the community, a place where people can meet friends, family, community groups, or business contacts, and that provides great quality food and drinks on their doorstep so they don’t have to travel.
"It sounds simple, but it still needs to be delivered well.
“It’s about more than that, though. Kilmacolm is a gem that so many people in Glasgow are yet to discover."
One of his initial moves was to promote young chef Jamie Wade to lead the kitchen.
The 26-year-old’s menu features pizzas, pasta, and classic Italian dishes.
Fundraising is also a priority for Danny, who sits on the board of Maggie’s Cancer Centre.
Through regular charity events, he has raised thousands of pounds, including a golf day at Kilmacolm Golf Club raising £15,000.
He has also been involved in other Maggie’s fundraising events that raised more than £135,000.
He added: “I understand that going back to work wouldn’t be what everybody would do in my situation, but I feel lucky I’m still able to seize opportunities like this.
"My advice to anybody is get yourself checked out – no matter how small the issue. There’s no sense in dying of embarrassment.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here