A GOUROCK resident and local businessman has been chosen as the SNP’s candidate for the upcoming by-election in Gourock.

Dad-of-two Robert Kirkpatrick says he is delighted to be standing for the nationalist party in the election, which will take place on November 7.

The 43-year-old has run the Ardgowan Trout Fishery near Cornalees for nearly two decades, having previously been a prison officer and a police officer, and currently resides in Gourock with his family.

Find out how to vote in Gourock by-election later this year

Mr Kirkpatrick told the Telegraph that if elected he would fight to protect Gourock’s local amenities and improve the town.

(Image: Gourock SNP)

He said: “If given the privilege of becoming a ward five councillor, I will put Gourock first and foremost in the council buildings.

“As someone who has previously worked in public services and have also owned my own business for the last 17 years, I know how to work with and engage with the public.

“As a business owner, I am solutions focused and I will bring this experience to the table if given the honour of representing my hometown.”

The would-be councillor says that although he has long been a supporter of the party he is standing for, he was inspired to put himself forward as a candidate after seeing the work of Inverclyde’s existing SNP councillors first hand.

He added: “I reached out to my local elected members for support when I had difficulties with my own business, and I got to see the help that elected representatives could give me.

“The amount of support they offered me was great and I’d love to be able to offer that back to people in my local area.

“I live in Gourock, it’s where I raised my family, I’m from Gourock and it’s my home.

“I want to see Gourock the way it was when I grew up and I’d like to see it brought back to the way it was and made even better.

“Just this morning I’ve seeing a few problems along the roads in Gourock, signs are worn out and the cycle lane you could barely notice is there.

“We’re losing a lot of our local amenities here and I want to protect what we’ve got.

“With the likes of the recycling centre, I want to make sure that we fight for that and be able to keep that in the local area.

“We’ve got so much to offer in Gourock, we’ve got a thriving food scene, great travel links and brilliant public transport, that’s a recipe to make the town a tourist destination which I’d love to see happen.

"I am a first-time candidate and want to give something back to my town.

“It will be a strange experience voting for myself on November 7, but I believe my public service and business owner experience will stand me in good stead to help shape Gourock's future.”

If elected, Mr Kirkpatrick would join existing SNP councillor Sandra Reynolds as one of Inverclyde West’s three elected members.

Councillor Reynolds today endorsed her party’s candidate, saying: “Robert is an excellent candidate, and I am delighted to support him.

“We have discussed a range of local issues already and I know Robert is passionate about ensuring Gourock gets its fair share of investment that is happening elsewhere in Inverclyde.

 “I know Robert would be an asset for Gourock if he is elected on November 7.”

Greenock and Inverclyde’s SNP MSP Stuart McMillan also backed Mr Kirkpatrick.

He added: "I have no hesitation in supporting Robert as I believe he can hit the ground running to help Gourock constituents if successful.

 “The SNP have delivered a wide range of policies that have helped many Gourock households, including improving flood prevention measures on Shore Street, the introduction of the Baby Box, 1140 hours of free childcare, under 22s and over 60's travel free on buses, free university tuition and free eye tests to name just a few examples.

“Robert wants to help deliver more positive outcomes for Gourock.”