A ‘significant investment’ has been lost after the bid to relocate the Medicines Manufacturing Innovations Centre to Ayrshire was dismissed.

South Ayrshire Council’s leader, Cllr Douglas Campbell expressed his ‘deep disappointment’ at the decision not to bring the centre to the i3 Life Sciences Business Park in Irvine, which could have brought ‘hundreds’ of direct and indirect jobs, being a the ‘key element’ of the Ayrshire Growth Deal.

He said: “After such a positive start to the year, with the Prime Minister herself announcing the start of formal talks for the Ayrshire Growth Deal, this really is a missed opportunity for everyone involved in this decision to show their support not just for Ayrshire – but for the potential we have to boost the Scottish and UK economies.

“This decision not only affects our ambitions and plans for the Ayrshire Growth Deal – it places a significant impact on our expectations for our economy, our people and our places, who will bear the brunt in the years ahead.

“I’m deeply disappointed that Ayrshire has lost out on this significant investment and my focus now – alongside colleagues and partners in East and North Ayrshire – will to be ensure that we are taken seriously by those holding the purse strings and we do bring in the investment and jobs that our area, and our people, so desperately need.

“There’s no doubt this is a real blow, but Ayrshire will continue to fight for what we want, need and deserve.”