A PLEA has been made for businesses in Largs to come together to enhance the future of the town centre.
A summit of key businesses, stakeholders, Scotland’s Towns Partnership and the council was held in Largs Yacht Haven where the prospect of setting up a new Business Improvement District was discussed, following the end of the first such initiative.
Better transparency and accountability, as well as learning lessons from the previous BID, were key aspects, Scotland's Town Partnership told local enterprise figures.
Following a vote involving local firms over five years ago, a Largs BID was launched, with businesses contributing sums depending on the rateable value of their premises.
Explore Largs sought to boost the town's profile, with events such as a classic car rally, Largs Live, Largs Food Fest and Yuletide bringing tens of thousands of additional visitors. 
A number of frank exchanges took place at the meeting to discuss a new BID.
Local businesswoman Lorraine Stewart of Largs Computing asked: "Where is the team spirit?
"We need to get back on focus and stop the mud slinging.
"We want to draw people into the town - that is the whole aim and it is something that I am impassioned about."
Local authorities and the Scottish Government are supportive of the BID structure, but with cash-strapped councils facing dwindling finances, a new BID could provide greater link-ups with the likes of transport network companies.
A detailed independent consultation will now be commissioned - engaging with key stakeholders, the community and every business in the town - to help gather ideas before an open invitation feedback session takes place to present the findings.
Referring to the previous BID, Phil Prentice, chief executive of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “Non-tourism businesses, the likes of butchers, dentists, lawyers, furniture shops didn’t see immediate benefits.
"We now know that any future improvement district would have to deliver clear benefits and services to these business as well.
"The governance of a new BID 2 will be watertight.
"More regular communication would also be necessary and wider support sought from the council, corporates and the community."
Businessman John Corrigan, one of the critics of the previous BID, said: "The first BID was focused on tourism - and it was focused too much on the seafront. Other businesses lost out."
Another representative, David Boyle, said: "There is a good correlation between tourists and visitors, but to try and say tourism isn't important to the town simply isn't true - shops close, people don't get work, and visitors won't come."
Mr Prentice said he agreed with both points, and added it was important that secondary businesses play a full part in any new BID.
All four Largs councillors have agreed to participate in the new venture.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:
Cllr Alex Gallagher said: “We all agree that Largs is a great town, however other towns out there are developing new approaches and using the BID model and we must try to keep ahead of this competition.
"I believe that the BID model is the right one for the town in that it provides stability and attracts investment and brings businesses together. However any future BID must meet the needs of all businesses and must balance tourism and events with things like local loyalty, digital, and support for all our business sectors.
"A directors statement and full set of audited accounts from the first BID programme will be published shortly so this development phase can be closed off.”
Cllr Alan Hill said: “I acknowledge the efforts of the first BID and welcome the fact that an independent Largs-wide consultation is about to begin.
"There is a lot of untapped potential that could be developed by partnering with Cumbrae, CalMac and the growth in the Clyde cruise markets.” 
Cllr Tom Marshall, a former director of Explore Largs, added: "We need to take time to build on the success of BID 1, take forward all of the learning around what wasn’t so good and get an independent view on what a new and improved BID could do for the town."
Cllr Iain Murdoch said: "We all support the idea of a BID so long as it’s more open, transparent and accountable. I am continuing to pursue some of the bigger issues such as road congestion and parking."