Inverness City Centre Online

City Centre Development Brief - Update following BID Business Breakfast (25.01.12)

There was a great turnout at the BID Business Breakfast with representatives from all business sectors (office, retail & property owners) in attendance.  Property owners included David Cameron (Upland Developments) and Willie Gray (William Gray Construction)

Highland Council's Head of Planning, Malcolm Macleod (above) introduced the City Centre Development Brief -

A copy of the Powerpoint Presentation can be downloaded here

Malcolm explained that the aspirations of the brief were to:

• Improve the commercial vitality and viability of the City Centre.
• Make it the most attractive and desirable place for businesses to locate.
• Enhance the user experience for tourists and other visitors.
• Bring back into use historic buildings.
• Reconnect the river frontage with the City Centre.
• Increase connectivity and active travel within, from and to the City Centre. 

Malcolm encouraged businesses to take part in the consultation which runs from February until April. 

Please let your views be know by emailing malcolmmacleod@highland.gov.uk or bidmanager@inverness.uk.com.

The full City Centre Development Brief can be viewed here.

BEST BAR NONE AWARDS CEREMONY

Inverness's best bars, pubs and clubs were recognised for their customer care and commitment to a safer city centre at the Best Bar None Awards Ceremony this week.  The ceremony was held in the Town House and 16 pubs & clubs were awarded.  Seven gained Gold, Seven gained Silver and Two gained Bronze awards.  Overall Category winners were Love2Love, Johnny Foxes & The Den and The Gellions who go forward to the National Awards in Glasgow in March.

The aim of the awards which is judged by licensing officers and environmental health officials is to reduce alcohol related crime and disorder in the city centre, promote dialogue between agencies and licensees and increase the safety of licensed premises by working with Inverness BID, the licensed trade, the Highland and Islands Fire and Rescue service, the council and Northern Constabulary.

BID Chairman, "Craig Duncan", said "The awards are hugely important in the the scheme works towards establishing the best run establishments in the town" he said.  "The emphasis is on getting all the premises to go for it and see how far they get in the awards scheme.  I wish them luck and hopefully we get a winner this year in the national awards."

AWARD WINNERS

Bronze:  The Fluke, The Thistle Inn

Silver:  Lauders, The Exhange, Blacksmiths, Arts Bar Mercure Hotel, Miami, No 27, Cafe Theatre Eden Court

Gold:  The Room, Love2Love, Johnny Foxes & The Den, The Kings Highway, The Auctioneers, The Gellions, The Caledonian