A NATIONAL charity has come under fire for its decision to close its much-valued Kilwinning shop.

North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane blasted the MS Society over the decision to shut the volunteer-run premises.

The Kilwinning councillor says the charity has given misleading statements about the closure.

MS Society Scotland has said the lease is being terminated as the building is “no longer fit for purpose” and ongoing issues with maintenance, “which cannot be resolved”.

But volunteers insist the building is fine and making money for the charity.

Councillor Cullinane met MS Society representatives last week to offer help.

He said: “I was dismayed by the report that the centre was to close. I read the Society’s comments about the condition of the property being the reason for not renewing the lease and wanted both as a Kilwinning Councillor and as the Council Leader, to make it clear that I could work with council officers to find suitable alternative accommodation.

“What became clear from my discussions however was that the local press had not been given the full picture by the Society. It turns out that the charity’s Trustees have taken a decision at national level not to renew nor take on new leases. That means that the original statements were rather misleading.

“They kept saying that the shop runs at a deficit and produced the accounts from the last few years, which showed a profit last year.

“The MS Society premises in Kilwinning is more than a shop, it is a resource centre, ran by dedicated volunteers, which supports a branch with 400 members and provides a hub for anyone seeking advice.“

MS Society Scotland Director Morna Simpkins said: “There have been ongoing issues with the maintenance of the building and the lease in Kilwinning which cannot be resolved.

“The MS Society has made the decision not to sign any leases for new properties within our volunteer-led groups. The shop made a small profit in 2016 but across six years, it’s made a large loss.”