ONE of the largest charity shops in the Three Towns looks to have closed permanently.

It comes as the DEBRA UK store in Stevenston was listed for sale - shortly after a closure "until further notice" was confirmed.

The organisation, which supports people with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), had a Stevenston branch, which specialised in furniture - but it has now been listed for a sale price of £295,000 with TSA Property Consultants.

The building, on Fullarton Place at Stevenston Cross, is also available for a rent at a cost of £35,000 per annum.

Previously a Kwik Save supermarket, the sale also includes the 30 space car park which can be accessed from nearby Glebe Street.

The Herald understands that locals have recently raised concerns regarding the travelling community using the car park.

The apparent closure has come suddenly and without explanation or any confirmation.

However, the shop was forced to close twice in April, once for a full week due to "staff shortages".

Then only one week later, at the end of April, a statement from the store said: "Due to unforeseen circumstances we are currently closed until further notice."

Though DEBRA has not reopened and was later listed for sale.

Further to this, the store locator feature on the charity's website no longer lists Stevenston as a location.

The nearest DEBRA store in North Ayrshire is just one town over - on Dockhead Street in Saltcoats.

At present, the listing for the old Stevenston branch remains live, and can be viewed in full here.

What the future may hold for the building is unclear though the listing suggests the site, which currently benefits from retail consent, could lend itself to a gymnasium, soft-play or residential development.

It states that the location would be ideal for a development of 34 apartments - and that the car park may also be useful in any future development plans.