A TOTAL of seven jobs have been lost as a result of the closure of the College of Holy Spirit retreat on the Isle of Cumbrae.
The Argyll and the Isles Diocese have blamed increasing financial losses as the reason for the decision.
The accommodation offered a selection of up to 16 bedrooms and also included a library and common rooms.
The Right Reverend Dr Keith Riglin, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, who is Chair of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles, issued the following statement.
He said: "Despite the efforts of all concerned, the trading position of the College of the Holy Spirit became unsustainable.
"The Board of Island Retreats Ltd has therefore asked its parent body, the Standing Committee of the Diocese, to make a decision about the future running of the College.
"The Standing Committee has decided a period of closure is necessary in order to reassess how the College will operate in the future.
"The decision does not in any way affect the Mission and Ministry of the Cathedral of The Isles."
Asked whether the property could be sold in future, the church said the intention was to 'reopen the building at a future stage'.
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