LARGS BID group received praise and 'pelters' from opposite ends of the community council meeting last week, writes Drew Cochrane.

When Community Councillor Ian Murdoch questioned what BID, the business investment organisation, was doing for the town he was slapped down by elected councillor Tom Marshall who sits on the BID board.

Mr Murdoch claimed that fellow business people were unhappy with the way the group was being run, and that some shopkeepers were refusing to go to BID meetings because they were not being listened to.

When chairman Douglas Blair commented that it was nothing to do with the community council Mr Murdoch replied that it was bad for the town.

However, Councillor Marshall, who represents North Ayrshire Council on BID - which was set up to improve the town - commented that he did not accept the criticism.

"It is totally wrong and mischievous. If you look at the Food Festival, Largs Live and the recent Classic Cars exhibition there was huge footfall and successful business.

"They have also provided grants for shops and they got money from VisitScotland to do television advertising, and to produce brochures for Largs.

"Don't go down the road that it's a bad thing for Largs. BID have put Largs on the map and there is a good website. Some people are stirring things up."

When Mr Murdoch suggested that some businesses and shops would not be voting to keep BID community councillor Johanne McIntyre replied that the people she spoke to would continue to support the work of BID which has a manager and staff.