LARGS seafront car park revenue plummeted by £15,000 during the last year, a News investigation has revealed.

A sum of £35,000 was spent on a controversial upgrade which a local councillor says is one of the main reasons for the dramatic drop.

The new data was released after a freedom of information request was submitted by the News asking for details of revenue raised and financial outgoings.

It raised a total of £161,659 during the past business year, down from £175,188 the year before.

Employee costs were £35,000, and the facilities management charge for public conveniences was £35,000, while tools and implements were £15,000 and non domestic rates were £14,822.

Out of hours call charges to attend the seafront car park and toilets amounted to £6,500.

Largs councillor Ian Murdoch says problems with entry and exiting have hit the facility hard.

He added: "I personally feel that the car park lost out on tens of thousands of pounds. I have repeatedly watched significant problems with the barrier system and the entry and exit system.

"On Mother's Day I watched over 30 cars stuck at once and I reckon in that time alone around £75 was lost just in the time I stood there.

"I am against borrowing the money from the seafront car park as it will be a significant loan which it can't afford to lose such a large amount of income on an annual basis.

"I have been very frustrated by the procurement of the car park system and its installation, which should have been much more efficient.

"It is ironic that a system installed to make more money and speed up entry and exit has achieved the opposite."

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall also feels the upgrade could have been handled better.

He said: "Obviously there have been problems with thee access issue and it is unfortunate that a similar system to M&Co's number plate recognition wasn't adopted with a no barrier system as the mechanics of it have been a problem.

"In Glasgow it is £5 per hour for on street parking and while that might be a bit much, perhaps we need to look at increases."

The News' data request found that Bellman's Close car park - which was made into a pay facility in 2021 - brought in £8,000 during the last business year, which goes into the council's coffers.

The seafront car park revenue goes to local projects, but the upgrade last year took up most of these funds with the only donation a £2,000 award to Largs Viking Festival.

In the year 2020/21, a total of £19,955 went to create an outdoor gym nd a total of £3,000 was given to Largs Colts Football Club.

Over the past 15 years, the seafront car park revenue has given a significant boost to local projects including the £100,000 construction of the Mackerston Skate Park and the introduction of new swings at the former boating pond.