A MUIRKIRK convenience store has been accused of costing a youth organisation up to £4,000.

The 1st Muirkirk Boys’ Brigade Company has accused the Co-Op of failing to own up to a water leak that left them with a hefty £3,000 repair bill.

The Boys’ Brigade (BB) purchased its club rooms which was originally used by the Co-Op. The BB included in the conditions of the purchase a clause that any other occupants of the building would be jointly responsible for any repairs.

At one point the group were forced to replace all of the wiring after water came through the ceiling as a result of a fault discovered in a tank on the stores property.

The group have also been forced to replace roof tiles - again at their own expense.

The latest problem was again a water problem that affected the Co-Op. The BB then paid for an electricians report to nail down the culprit for all of the electrical problems.

The electricians report noted: “The clubroom system is totally independent of the Co-Op system. Hence the clubrooms has its won independent internal stopcock.” The BB Treasurer, Jim Currie sent off two separate letter to Co-Op head offices in Manchester but has yet to receive a reply.

A spokesperson for the Co-operative Food said: “Our Estates Department is unaware of these issues but we will investigate them and respond directly to Muirkirk Boys’ Brigade.” Mr Currie told the Chronicle: “Our electrician carried out the report about three months ago and I’ve sent the Co-Op two letters to their head office. So why don’t they know about it? You got to the bother of getting in touch with them about it and get totally ignored.

“As far as the Co-Op is concerned it’s our problem and only our problem, despite us having an agreement that everyone in the building shares responsibility for any problems. They want to pile it all on to us. Over the last few years we’ve had to spend quite a few thousand pounds and that’s the type of money we can’t afford to pay out for something that’s not our problem.”