The Helensburgh Clock Tower is set to go up for sale - sparking doubts over the future of VisitScotland facilities in the town.

The building has been given a price tag of £65,000 after the government approved the sale of the property.

MSP Jackie Baillie expressed her concern about the future of the services. She said: “This is disappointing news for the town.

“The decision by visitScotland to withdraw from the clock tower must not result in a reduction in Visitor Information and I will expect them to put in place robust, alternative provision for the many visitors that come to experience the delights of Helensburgh and the surrounding area.”

VisitScotland, who own the building, are in the process of exploring alternative provisions in Helensburgh including multiple points where visitors will be able to get accurate and up-to-date information that suit their particular requirements.

A VisitScotland spokesperson said: “Helensburgh is a stunning destination, and it is our priority to ensure that all those who visit the town are well informed about what to see and do.

“The Clock Tower will be going up for sale, but we have lots of exciting new discussions happening around developing and increasing tourism information provision for the town and surrounding area. We hope to be able to share these with the community as soon as possible. “

The clock tower was there to offer visitors information and advice on notable attractions in Helensburgh such as the famous Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed Hill House and the Waverley Paddle Steamer.

Councillor Aileen Morton, Policy Lead for Strategic Tourism is disappointed that Helensburgh may lose its visitor information centre and hopes that alternative measures can be found.

She said: "Hopefully Visit Scotland will be able to identify with local businesses and residents how an alternative service could be provided locally, even if not in exactly the same form as currently.

"The clock tower is an important building in Helensburgh so it’s essential to see it kept in use and contributing to the vitality of the town."

The Chamber of Commerce have not been approached or included in any discussions this far about the future of the services in Helensburgh but believe it would be a "big loss not having a information centre in town". They also believe if not located at the clock tower something should be done to provide a facility somewhere pretty central for visitors to gain the information.

Local Councillor Vivien Dance is not surprised that the Clock Tower is up for sale as she believes there has been an inevitability about such disposal since 2013 when it was taken over.

It was set to close in 2013 until a partnership between the tourist body and Community News TV saved it hoping to establish the clock tower site as a busy community hub with benefits for local businesses and residents.

Councillor Dance said: “It is very disappointing the way in which the news has reached the community and I think we deserved better from visit Scotland.

“We should have been informed of the plans before information was leaked but this did not happen and now of course it becomes clear why those of us who have been trying to engage in discussions about a future for this town landmark in recent months have been rebuffed.

“However, Visit Scotland has made its decision and it is now up to the town and its businesses to decide if they wish to bid for the building, complete with the town clock.

“I will certainly be having further discussions to ensure that the funds from the sale come to the town as agreed when it was handed over to Visit Scotland and in the meantime will look at a number of options to see if we can secure an exciting future for the clock tower.”

VisitScotland property agents will consider offers from both commercial and community interest companies. They are looking at the ways in which information is provided across the whole of Scotland and are discussing the long term solution to information provision in Argyll and The Isles.