New £1.5m Drive-Thru Coffee Shop Development Proposed For Greenock

Plans have been submitted to Inverclyde Council Planners for a £1.5 million drive-thru coffee shop development on land located on the main arterial A8 route into Greenock town centre.

The single-storey drive-thru building, which would also include a seating area for up to 40 customers, is earmarked for land close to EE and Web Help, at the corner of Cartsburn Street and Rue End Street.

It is expected the development would create a mixture of 40 to 50 full and part-time jobs in what would provide a welcome employment boost to the local Inverclyde economy.

Should the plans get the go-ahead, the number of car parking spaces is proposed to be 56, including four disabled spaces.

The development plans have been submitted by Dalglen Investments, owned by local businessmen Sandy and James Easdale, who purchased the 0.5-acre site from Scottish Enterprise in 2018. Their plans are supported by Gourock-firm, Rebecchi Architectural Services, and national planning agents, Ryden. 

The owners are in discussion with multiple national businesses which are showing an interest in the proposed development, with another marquee name expected to be attracted to Inverclyde should the plan be approved.

Cartsdyke Avenue - Image Courtesy of Newsquest

Dalglen Investment Directors, Sandy and James Easdale said:

"This is an exciting proposal to bring back into active use a brownfield site which has been vacant for many years, something also recognised in Inverclyde Council’s Vacant and Derelict Land Report.

“Despite previously being in the ownership of Scottish Enterprise, whose principal aim is economic development, the site has failed to attract any substantial development interest for over two decades.

“We, therefore, have submitted this plan with the aim to both secure fresh inwards investment into Inverclyde and to support economic prosperity and we ask that the Council considers the opportunity it presents.

“This development would provide a significant economic boost to Greenock and the location in particular, which will support the multiple businesses nearby who are currently lacking in provisions within walking or cycling distance.

“We believe this is a fantastic opportunity to secure a marquee tenant, and interest has been strong from several national retailers should this be approved.”

The site is being marketed by Gourock-based commercial property letting agency, Bowman Rebecchi.