A former hotel in Gourock is set to welcome lodgers for the first time in several years.

Property firm Bowman Rebecchi is to launch a new ‘budget rental’ service at the premises, previously home to the Albert Hotel, to be called Harbour Lets.

After closing down in 2016 due to financial issues, the property was snapped up at auction by Kirsteen Murray, who transformed it into a guest house and planned to lease it out.

1830 Eatery opened on the ground floor last summer and will continue trading, with the new Bowman Rebecchi arm occupying the first and second levels.

The first floor has a total of four rooms which will be rented out. Upstairs, Harbour Lets plans to create either a further two rooms or one larger living space.

The latest expansion for Inverclyde’s ‘Home of Property’ expands Bowman Rebecchi into the short-term lets management market, to go alongside its residential lettings, sales, commercial, architectural, and advertising services.

Director Marco Rebecchi said: “Basically, you can rent a room depending on the length of time that you need.

“We receive a lot of requests for short-term letting through Bowman Rebecchi Letting but often find it hard to place these due to the lack of spaces available locally.

“Contractors and other trades are often looking for space and this will provide a budget option that will fit well in the existing market.

“Location-wise, there’s not a lot available to rent in Inverclyde, or in Gourock certainly, so we saw a gap in the market.

“The good thing is there’s 1830 Cafe downstairs if they want breakfast and shops close by.”

The Bowman Rebecchi team has been working on the rooms for around four weeks and says they hope to have the premises up and running in the next fortnight.

Marco said the rooms were in good condition already from the earlier revamp and only required a refresh.

Furniture was brought into several of the rooms over the past few days, with new lights and televisions being installed next week.

Inverclyde MP Ronnie Cowan and Councillor Sandra Reynolds were given a quick tour of the inside by BR Director Andrew Bowman on Friday.

The visit was arranged as part of an event marking Scotland Loves Local. Mr Rebecchi says the opening will be a boost to business in Gourock.

He said: “It’s one less building that’s lying empty.

“It would be good to see some more units on Shore Street that are currently derelict or lying empty coming back into use.”

Mr Cowan added: “The Albert Hotel was a well-loved establishment back in the day and recently it has been great to see the coffee shop 1830 open on the ground floor. 

“The announcement that the upper floors shall soon be opening as a low-budget hotel will further utilise the building and provide affordable overnight accommodation for people working or visiting the area.

“We have so many good buildings that are not being utilised that it’s fantastic to see a local company investing in a local redevelopment in this way.”

For more information on Harbour Lets, please contact Bowman Rebecchi.

Image courtesy of The Greenock Telegraph.