A Port Glasgow campaigner has issued a stark safety warning over the future of a historic building in the centre of the town.

Abbie Williams says it is a 'tragedy' that the Star Hotel has been left to fall into disrepair.

The 64-year-old worked in the former hotel for 30 years as doorman and helping out bar staff, and has been a customer for many more.

(Image: George Munro)

He said: "I am Port Glasgow born and bred and I have serious concerns about the safety of the building, as do shopkeepers in the area.

"I worked there and have been a customer for more than 40 years.

"It was my second home. I used to help out the bar staff. It was a great pub, but if you were looking for trouble you would find it.

"I've seen all the famous faces who came here, including Harvey Keitel and writer Peter McDougall."

(Image: George Munro) Back in 2005, the venue attracted the cast and crew for a movie called Nina's Heavenly Delights, by Greenock writer Andrea Gibb, about an Indian family in the 1980s.

The Telegraph also met household name Art Malik, who also featured in Bond film The Living Daylights and True Lies, alongside Scottish comedian and actress Elaine C Smith.

Abbie said: "It was a great place back in its heyday, with great bar staff .

"Customers were a bit rough and ready, but they were always the first to put their hands in their pockets to help children's appeals.

"The last fund-raiser was money for children in Ukraine.

(Image: George Munro) "Look at it now. It's falling apart. The windows are smashed and drug addicts are using it as a shooting gallery.

"I have grave concerns about the safety of the building. Some of the masonry could fall down and hit someone. It's dangerous. 

"The barriers around about it keep getting knocked over and flattened.

“One kick and the front door would come in. There were three padlocks on it, now there is only one.

"Drug addicts are hanging about the lounge door at the back, and it's full of paraphenalia and litter.

"At the side is another entrance to the basement, and my biggest fear someone is going to get inside and set a match to it.

"Folk are calling it 'Port Apache'.

"It's more than sad what has happened to this place.

"Back in the early days it was the only place you could go for a drink on a Sunday, and people used to come from miles around."

The Star Hotel stopped trading in March 2023 and last month an application by BR Homes Ltd for a 'change of use' of the premises was approved by Inverclyde Council.

Art Malik, Elaine C. Smith and their co-stars in Nina's Heavenly Delights met the Tele at the Star Hotel in 2005. (Image: George Munro) The public bar and lounge bar on the ground floor will be turned into two retail units under the plans.

The upper floors, which had nine bedrooms, will be converted into seven apartments, comprising one and two-bedroom units.

Abbie, who volunteers at Port Glasgow 2025 in the same street, "It was a big loss to the community when it closed. Now I'm worried we are going to lose it forever..

"I believe they will try to sell it on with the planning permission and that could take a year or two years."

The Tele took Mr Williams' concerns to the building's owner, Mohammed Riaz, who said he would visit the building straight away to ensure it was safe.

He said: "I will secure all the exits and entrances so that people can't get in.

"I have been in contact with the builder and the work should start within two months, in the New Year."