COMMUNITY groups have slammed council plans to offload the historic Brisbane Centre in Largs.

The News can reveal the local authority is looking at options to get ride of the 200-year-old facility.

It was home until recently to the Largs Players' Comedy Theatre and hosts a number of groups including the Opportunities in Retirement Art Club, Largs Spiritualist Church, Slimming World and the club for the visually impaired.

The oval-shaped building was the former library in the town and was built in 1815, but is now in need of an upgrade and improvements.

The proposal to sell off the Brisbane Centre has been uncovered through a community consultation exercise which is ongoing to save council cash.

Barry Morgan, who runs the OIR arts class at the centre, has hit out at the proposal.

He says: "We are a well established group and I don't know where we could go. The problem with Largs is that there is no central town hall or community centre that can be used by everybody.

"The Brisbane Centre is based very close to the town centre and has good access.

"It is not in the greatest condition but it is a well used facility.

"The worry would would be if it was sold off or run outwith the council, the rental may go up. It is not an expensive hall to hire at the moment.

"It would be a great shame to lose such a valuable community facility.

"Its closure would certainly cause major disruption to a lot of people."

As well as a former bath house in the town, it is believed that the Brisbane Centre was once stables for the Marquis of Bute. It named in memory of Sir Thomas Brisbane, the astronomer, solider and former governor of New South Wales from 1821-25.

It was valued at a cost of £160,000 in 2013, and the council state that property maintenance costs are running at £6,728 per year.

The centre is owned by the council and managed by their community facilities department.

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall said: "A number of options are being explored about leasing it or to do a community asset transfer to a local group - or a potential sale.

"It is a historical building but it is badly needing of some upkeep, renovation and redecoration.

"It may be useful for some kind of tourism business. I personally wouldn't have any objection to the building being sold on."

A working group was set up last year to develop proposals for more effective ways of ensuring people continue to access community facilities in what has been described by the authorities as 'challenging economic circumstances'.

Following a previous consultation with local communities this summer, draft plans have now been prepared which include the Bath Street building.

People can have their say on the future of the Brisbane Centre, Largs Library, Fairlie Village Hall and Skelmorlie Community Centre futures online at the council's website.